Lease Ness Monster crossed the finish line faster than any harness racing four-year-old mare in the history of Northfield Park when she won the $13,000 Fillies and Mares Open in 1:52.1 on Thursday (May 7). The clocking breaks the 1:52.2 former record by Don't Blame Her (Greg Grismore) in 2007.
David Waltz of Clayton, Michigan owns Lease Ness Monster. Scott Bateson is her trainer and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. was in the sulky for the winning drive.
Lease Ness Monster (Lease On Life-Sheza Hot Monster-Mark Johnathan) started from the rail. She led her competition through fractions of :27.3, :55.4, 1:23.1 and 1:52.1. There was never an anxious moment for the winner, who bested her competition by six-lengths.
Lease Ness Monster now has three wins in 11 starts this year. Thursday's victory represents her seventh career score and bolstered her bankroll to $65,368. She was the race favorite and returned $5.00 to win.
Ayers Ratliff