Gg Heart On Fire Get Her Second Career Victory And Set New Record In The NDQHRA Open Derby

FARGO, ND–AUGUST 3, 2024­–Post-time favorite Gg Heart On Fire outkicked her peers at the wire by a neck in the $13,750 NDQHRA Open Derby (not black type) at North Dakota Horse Park on Saturday.

Trainer Mallory Norton saddled jockey Jimmy Brooks aboard Gg Heart On Fire for the 300-yard victory. The daughter of One Dashing Eagle clocked a 96 speed index in :15.613 seconds against a 15 mph crosswind.

Gg Heart On Fire's impressive speed broke the 16.690 track record set by Scarey Attitude in 2003. The victory paid $6.00 to win on 2/1 odds. Johnnys Blue Queen, ridden by Nathan Haar, followed in second 1 /4-length ahead of Cartels Eagle and rider Scott Bethke, who placed third.

From thirteen career starts, Gg Heart On Fire just broke her maiden in June at Fair Meadows. Today's victory made it her second consecutive win and the $6,188 payday increased her earnings to $26,472. She was a finalist in the Northland Futurity last season.

Leon Glasser bred and owns Gg Heart On Fire in North Dakota out of Little Love Affair by Rare News.

Runner-up Johnnys Blue Queen has two career wins from 12 starts with $20,862 in the bank. Tyler Stein owns and trains the daughter of Jess Louisiana Blue. John Duke bred her in Texas out of Determined Queen by Corona Cartel.

Mallory Norton also conditioned third-place finisher Cartels Eagle for owner Steve Leonard. The winning daughter of Cartels Feature has $18,069 in career earnings.

Breeder Darrel Henry sold the Indiana-bred filly out of Eye For The Eagle by One Famous Eagle for $3,000 in the 2022 QHRAI Stallion Service Auction sale.

Redhotmama, Jjs Royal Time and Valeries A Flirt complete the order of finish. Dcr C Nor Doubtfire was scratched.

Editor's note: A photo of this race will be posted with this article as soon as it is available from the track photographer.