Merriman scores eight victories at Northfield

Northfield, OH — The nine-time leading dash harness racing champion Aaron Merriman made short work of his foes on Monday (Feb. 12), scoring eight victories at MGM Northfield Park.

Merriman, who wrapped up his seventh straight MGM Northfield Park driving title in December, kicked off a night of winning aboard Randy Bendis trained Archery Seelster (Wheeling N Dealin, $11.40) to close the early double.

Speedy Dominic A (American Ideal, $8.40) overcame a top-of-the-stretch miscue to score impressively for trainer Braiden Rhoades. Rhoades and Merriman would team up to win again a few races later as Vibrant Kally (Bettor’s Delight) took no prisoners, making the lead shortly after the quarter, digging in to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.4.

In the co-featured $18,000 Open Trot, Merriman guided The Great Emotion (Lookslikeachpndale) to a 3-1/4 length victory for trainer Cassandra Lecourt. The 4-year-old sat behind Fashion Chocolate (Drew Neill) before making a move at the half and cruising to an impressive victory in 1:55.4.

Merriman would return one race later, scoring with Art McIlmurray trainee Bobbie N Poppie (Thin Blue Line) getting yet another perfect trip, winning by a half-length in 1:59.4. He wrapped up the night with three straight victories in the Late Pick-4 aboard Lake Charles (Well Said, $3.20), Zeus Is Rocking (Rockin Image, $5.00), and Tap Tap Tap (McArdle, $3.40).

The eight-win night brings Merriman’s total to 45 wins on the year, leading Billy Davis Jr. (31) and Chris Lems (21).

Live racing resumes at MGM Northfield Park on Tuesday (February 13) 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.

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

by Michael Carter, for MGM Northfield Park