While One Last Laugh was a winner three starts back against some top-tier talent, he had yet to return to form against Open company until Sunday (April 16) after getting a perfect trip in the $19,000 co-featured event.
Bernie and One Last Laugh both left alertly as the starter gave the word go, with Bernie making the lead heading to the quarter in :27.1.
With the field in straight alignment, Bernie worked a :29 breather in the second quarter with One Last Laugh right on his back with one lap remaining. At three-quarters in 1:24, Bernie had yet to see a challenger. But turning for home, driver Hunter Myers guided One Last Laugh out of the pocket, wearing down the favourite to win by a neck in 1:52.1. Dancin Dragon held on to third while Rockn Motion finished fourth.
One Last Laugh, trained by Sam Schillaci, has surpassed $325,000 in earnings with 22 victories. He is owned by Schillaci Stables and Sam Bova Racing.
Parshall took advantage of hot fractions set by Big Bad Caviar to score in the $19,000 co-featured Open Trot.
With several horses leaving off the gait, Big Bad Caviar and Winning Shadow battled through the first turn, with Big Bad Caviar coming away with the lead. Just as he did in the Open a few weeks prior, he put up a big first quarter over the "sloppy" going in :27.1.
Getting to the half in :55.3, Joggingtothebank was flushed out by Barn Hall, and the pair began their grind to take on the leader. Big Bad Caviar had yet to receive any pressure at three-quarters in 1:24.1, the cavalry was coming with Barn Hall flipping off cover three-wide around the final turn.
It looked like Big Bad Caviar would be easily defeated turning for him, but he battled against Barn Hall, and while those two tussled, Pashall slipped through the passing lane to circle them both, winning by a neck in 1:54.3. Barn Hall battled to be third, with Winning Shadow closing to be third.
Owned by trainer Titus Schlabach of Sugar Creek, Ohio, Parshall now has 10 victories with $71,705 in the bank. Jason Thompson piloted the winner.
Parshall was one of many longshots in the Pick-5 sequence, thus creating a carryover into Tuesday's program of $7,491. The wager, which begins in Race 6, features a low 14 per cent takeout and sports a $1 minimum. The Pick 5 should exceed $50,000.
Live racing resumes on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. (EDT).
(Northfield Park)