Waitforever N home in the nick of time

Northfield, OH – Waitforever N (American Ideal) continued to assert herself as the top female pacer at MGM Northfield Park on Friday (January 13) night, earning her third straight harness racing victory in the $18,000 Filly and Mare Open.

Leaving from post eight, Waitforever N (Aaron Merriman) couldn’t make the lead as quickly as she had in weeks past. Also leaving alertly from the inside was second choice Kat (Ronnie Wrenn Jr) and Adorabella (Hunter Myers).

Myers hustled Adorabella off the wings early, moving into the backstretch, and worked hard to stretch out Kat and Waitforever N, who was three-wide.

Kat was able to clear Adorabella before the quarter in :27.1, but Merriman would put Waitforever N on the lead heading into the far turn for the first time.

Merriman wasn’t able to get much of a breather with the favorite after hitting the half in :55.2; the challenges began in the form of stablemate Diamondtequilashot (Billy Davis Jr.) and Asante Sana A (Jason Thompson). While the stablemates dueled up the backstretch, Kat gave way from the pocket, allowing Asante Sana A to save ground past three-quarters in 1:23.1.

Through the stretch, Asante Sana A and Diamondtequilashot took shots at the leader, but Waitforever N was strong on the lead and won by a head in 1:52.3. Early leaver Adorabella finished fourth.

 Trained by Bill Rhoades, Waitforever N is owned by D Racing Stable Inc, Donald G. Mac Rae, and Kapildeo Singh; the 6-year-old mare has now earned 110,981.

Racing at MGM Northfield Park continues on Sunday (January 15) with a 15-race program. The card features a $10,000 guaranteed Pick-4 (R11) and a $10,000 guaranteed Super High-5 (R13). Free past performances for both wagers can be found here. Sunday’s post time is 6:00 p.m.

For complete race results, click here.

by Michael Carter, for MGM Northfield Park