USA rallies to defeat Great Britain in amateur showdown

Northfield, Ohio…October, 22, 2026…The Great Lakes Amateur Driving Association (GLADA) played host to Great Britain’s top amateur drivers in a two race event at Northfield Park on Wednesday with the U.S.A. scoring a narrow harness racing win.

Veteran Steve Oldford kicked off the competition by guiding his own Holton to a near wire-to-wire win in a well-rated 1:59 off panels of :29.1, :59.3 and 1:29.2 .

The eight-year-old gelded son of Dontyouforgetit drew off in the final stages to score by five lengths over Four Wheeling, driven by Britain’s Lee Wakefield, with Max’s Beast, teamed with Brit’s Kelly Nott third.

Nola Christian, driven by Britain’s Jay Matthews and beginning with the second tier nine post, survived a miscue at the start and rallied for fourth while Melanie Langford, also from the United Kingdom, picked up the nickel.

With the Great Britain contingent finishing 2-3-4-5 in that heat, they held a precarious 27-23 lead heading into the final.

But with the U.S.A/’s Amy Macdonald rallying late with Manhattanup No Ice in the finale, followed by the 23 to 1 outsider Bluebird Revival, driven by American Larry Ferrari, the “red-white and blue”: team took the deciding heat 34 to 17 with the final tally 57-40 with Jessica Dyar from Great Britain a fast closing third with Magical Journey.

Peter Let’s Go, with the USA’s Michael Miller, took charge at the third station but finished fourth in this “blanket finish” affair with Supreme Rockette and Susan Miller closing stoutly for fifth for the U.S.A.

HOLTON REPLAY

After the finale, winning first heat driver Steve Oldford related, “We always enjoy the competition-—both here and in their backyard—and this year was no different as they have some very talented amateur drivers.

“The racetrack was in exceptionally good shape for these races and had a real nice cushion—as all ‘aging’ horses  love—and that, plus drawing the inside post, also helped in the outcome.

Hollton won for a milestone 25th time career wise and vaulted his career bankroll to$266,421—his scorecard this semester being 2-5-1 in17 starts and $17,273.

Trained by Allen Sisco for Oldford Racing, Holton rewarded his faithful with a $4.80 mutuel.

Second heat winner Amy Macdonald, who won her very first pari-mutuel race with Manhattanup No Ice last week, used similar tactics to reach the winner’s circle this time around.

Mid-pack throughout the mile, Macdonald noticed a horse on the outside struggling a bit and…”well, I didn’t know whether or not that this would be the best path, but he’s a big, big horse and started gobbling up the racetrack Ince we turned for the finish.

“I guess you could say that he made me look good!”

He used a :29.4 file to hit the wire in 1:59.1.

MANHATTANUP NO ICE REPLAY

 

The classy nine-year-old altered son of Andover Hall is owned by Ashley Miller along with trainer Edwards and now sports a 29-5-4-4 scorecard in 29 starts, good for $39,604 and $338,581 lifetime.

As the 6 to 5 tote board favorite, Manhattanup No Ice paid $4.40 to win.

In another racetrack rarity, Amy Macdonald’s husband, Anthony, took top honors with Sterling Hanover—with a husband-wife combo both winning races on the same racing program.

GLADA is one of several amateur clubs in the United States whose members donate 100% of their earnings In amateur events to charitable causes ranging from local to national organizations.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Berry, for GLADA