Merriman, Kreiser take yearly Northfield honours

Northfield, OH – Aaron Merriman locked up his sixth straight harness racing dash title at MGM Northfield Park in 2022, winning 569 races in 2,281 starts over the Flying Turns. Competitors Ronnie Wrenn Jr. (339), Billy Davis Jr. (330), Chris Lems (290), and Hunter Myers (271) rounded out the top five.

Merriman continues to pile on to his win total, which currently has him atop the all-time standings for wins over the Flying Turns in its 65-year history. Merriman, who resides in Northfield, Ohio, now has eleven driving titles to his credit, previously won in 2006-2009 and 2017-2021, before winning in 2022. He was the youngest person inducted into the Northfield Park Wall of Fame in 2014.

Merriman, who began driving in 1997, has won 14,437 and over $103 million in purses. In 2022, he led all drivers in North America for the eighth straight season with 881 victories overall. Jason Bartlett (631) was the runner-up, while Tim Tetrick (574), Trace Tetrick (536), and Ohio native Matt Kakaley (529) followed.

Trainer Cory Kreiser made his presence felt at the Flying Turns in 2022, locking up the training title with 247 victories, 36 more than 2021 leading trainer Sam Schillaci (211).

Bill Rhoades (173), Ron Burke (169), and Brian Loney (107) rounded out the top five this year.

Kreiser, who currently resides in Northfield, Ohio, is originally from Lebanon, PA. Kreiser, 29, made five starts as a trainer in 2010 but opened his stable in 2014, winning his first race on November 24, 2014, with Taylor Rosa.

Kreiser finished fourth in the North American standings behind Ron Burke (1,031), Richard Moreau (331), and Erv Miller (291). He has $4,424,976 in career earnings with 643 victories in 3,480 starts.

Merriman and Kreiser will be honored with an official presentation in the Winner’s Circle later this month.  

MGM Northfield Park continues with their 2023 season with racing on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, first post time is 6:00 p.m. For more information on racing, promotions, and more visit www.northfieldpark.com