While it had been a couple of weeks since Think Of Galaxies made her way to the winners' circle, she turned things around on Saturday (Jan. 20) with an impressive victory in the $24,000 distaff feature at MGM Northfield Park.
Think Of Galaxies (Billy Davis Jr.) was hustled off the wings in the Fillies & Mares Open Handicap Pace, clearing rivals into the opening turn, while it appeared Creme Delight (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) might play hardball early, he took up position in the pocket with the field heading into the backstretch.
Think Of Galaxies paced through a blistering :27.2 first quarter over the 'good' track, and Davis was able to back down the pace, getting to the half in just :57. At three-quarters in 1:25, Think Of Galaxies had yet to see a rival, as she cruised into the far turn up by 1-1/4 lengths.
Turning for home, Creme Delight took a shot out of the pocket, but Think Of Galaxies was too good, winning by a length in 1:53.2.
Trainer Cory Kreiser was thrilled with her turn of foot and said, "She had a couple of weeks off and really turned things around tonight. We are looking forward to the rest of the season with her."
Owned by Ameer Najor, Thunder Racing Stable and Melissa Loyer, the talented six-year-old mare by So Surreal pushed her lifetime earnings to $378,074 with her 15th career victory.
Harmon wins GLADA Trot with Deliciousstone DK
Lauren Harmon teamed up with the classy nine-year-old foreign bred Deliciousstone DK to score a handy win approaching three lengths in Northfield Park’s Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) trot on Saturday night.
With flying snowflakes flying over the track known for its “flying turns,” Deliciousstone DK bested six worthy opponents with a first-over blast on the backside the final time and opened up an insurmountable advantage to score in 1:58.4. Real Mccoy rallied for second for Eric Miller while Admiral Allstar, with Edward Miller in the bike, was another neck back in third. Dontyousayit was next for Christina Johnson while the early leader, Wild And Crazy Guy, picked up the nickel for Braiden Rhodes.
As the wings folded for the start of the $10,667 rot, Deliciousstone DK, leaving from post two, was aggressively in gear and settled in third around the opening turn as Wild And Crazy Guy, from post seven, circled up wide to take the field through a hot opener on this cold night in :28.3 with Admiral Allstar in the garden spot.
Harmon pulled first-up approaching the half, timed in :59, and began gnawing forward and, with one tap on the backside, brushed right by the leader and opened up that long lead past the third station in 1:28.3 with Dudley second-over at that point.
The lead widened further in the lane as Dudley made a miscue leaving the issue not in doubt.
In a post-race interview, Harmon related, “I knew he had class coming in as he has a mark of [1]:52 and a piece, but I’m not so sure about liking being first-over, but I had no choice and didn’t want to get locked up looking for room.
“I tapped him one single time on the backside and he responded really well.
“We’ve only had him a short time since he wasn’t getting in at his other track, and he’s raced very well here in his three previous starts and finally got it done here.”
Now trained by Jason McGinnis for Thestable Deliciousstone, the winning son of Wishing Stone got his 13 career win -- fifth in the U.S. -- to send his lifetime bankroll to $117,370.
As one of three 5-2 toteboard choices in the race, Deliciousstone DK paid $7.20 to his faithful.
GLADA is one of several amateur driving clubs throughout the United States with all members donating all driving fees for charitable distribution benefitting countless organizations, including and benefitting retiring Standardbred horses and retraining of these horses for second careers as show horses or for therapeutic purposes.
Live harness racing resumes on Sunday, Jan. 21 with a first post of 6 p.m. MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
(With files from Northfield Park and GLADA)