Northfield: Beaver trainees speed to world record efforts

For the second week in-a-row, the trotters racing over the "Home of the Flying Turns" did just that. On Sunday (May 14), trainer Chris Beaver made his presence felt, tying last week's world record performance with Winning Ticket and setting a track and world record record with Caviar Gold.

In the $20,000 Open Trot, Big Bad Caviar (Greg Grismore), Tequila Talkin (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.), and Eye Ofa Tiger As (Billy Davis Jr.) all battled into the first turn, with Big Bad Caviar making the lead midway through the first turn before being overtaken by Tequila Talkin just before the quarter in 27 4/5.

After securing control, Tequila Talkin led the field in straight alignment to the half in 56 2/5, with Winning Ticket and Eye Ofa Tiger As beginning their bids. Winning Ticket's brush got him into the top spot racing into the backstretch for the final time, and Merriman stepped on the gas, coming to three-quarters in 1:23 2/5.

Through the stretch, Winning Ticket held off a late bid from Tequila Talkin, winning decisively in a world record-tying 1:52. Eye Ofa Tiger As was 3 1/4 lengths off the lead, finishing third.

Owned by trainer Chris Beaver along with Steven Zeehandelar, Tim Homan, and Jim Burnett, the 5-year-old son gelding by Triumphant Caviar increased his earnings to $587,580.

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Beaver wasn't done setting world records on Sunday, scoring a convincing win in a conditioned trot later in the evening with Caviar Gold (Merriman).

Leaving alertly from post seven, once Merriman made the lead he never looked back, setting fractions of 27 1/5, 56 3/5, and 1:24 2/5 before power housing home to a six length victory, stopping the timer in 1:52 1/5.

The previous world record for 4-year-old trotting geldings on a half-mile track was held by Amigo Volo, who trotted a 1:52 4/5 mile at Yonkers Raceway in December 2021.

Owned by Beaver, Bill Manes, Leo Fleming, and Zeehandelar, Caviar Gold also made it two world record performances for sire Triumphant Caviar.

Live racing resumes on Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m. MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. For more information on live racing and promotions, visit www.northfieldpark.com.

--press release (Northfield)--