Aaron
Merriman drove the winner in both features at Northfield Park on Monday (August
26). Merriman scored with PL Dragon in
the $6,000 Open Pace in race two and again with Norma’s Rose in the $6,000 Open
Trot in the evening’s eighth event.
PL Dragon was a repeat
winner in Northfield’s weekly top-pacing event.
Steven Price owns the six-year-old pacer. Trainer Ryan Angus
again called upon Aaron Merriman, who won with the horse last week.
PL Dragon (Dragon Again-Go Wilma Go) started from
post seven and was fourth through an opening fraction of :27.1. Merriman brushed to the lead in the second
quarter and continued to lead though times of :56, 1:24.1 and 1:53.
PL Dragon easily handled his competition and was six-lengths
in front at the wire. Completing the race were Beans And Weenies,
Mybrothergeorge, A Bay Bay, Coach Ken, Terror Of Thetrack and Ramember.
Monday’s triumph increased PL Dragon’s lifetime win tally to
22 and his career earnings to $204,322. He was heavily favored and returned
$2.80 to win.
Merriman
also piloted Norma’s Rose, who captured the $6,000 Open Trot in the evening’s
eighth race for owner/trainer Lee Blodgett of Warren, Ohio.
Norma’s
Rose (Master Lavec-Lilyad-Armbro Iliad) started from post five and was sent
right to the front. She made every pole
a winning one, posting fractions of :27.4, :56.2, 1:25.2 and 1:55.2, winning by
¾-length. Completing the race were
Victory Is Coming, Saintfrancis, Senator Sam, Buckeye Patty, Yankee Manny, Lady
Rev, Tymal Recap and Arianna Hall.
Norma’s
Rose now has 38 career victories and 10 wins in 2013. This race pushed her bankroll to
$283,237. She paid $9.60 to win.
