Always Gonna B You extended her win streak to three on Saturday, Feb. 17 with a gutsy victory in the $24,324 Filly & Mare Open Pace.
Always Gonna B You (Aaron Merriman) wasted no time getting into the race as she got the jump on Think Of Galaxies (Billy Davis Jr.), who left with her into the first turn. With the field in straight alignment, Always Gonna B You rationed out the speed on the front end, getting to the quarter in a leisurely :28.
Merriman got a modest :30 breather in the second panel without seeing a rival until the field moved past the half when Creme Delight (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) was sent to the outside, making a first-over bid for the lead.
While Creme Delight tried to gain ground on the leader up the backstretch for the final time, she stalled, and at three-quarters in 1:25.4, it appeared that it was not if Always Gonna B You was going to win, but by how much. Through the stretch, Think Of Galaxies was sent into the passing lane and was able to make up ground after the perfect trip, but it ended up not being enough as Always Gonna B You was able to dig in to win by a nose in 1:55.3.
Owned by Renee Bercury and trained by William Bercury, the five-year-old mare by Always A Virgin scored her 13th career victory, pushing her bankroll to $456,656.
Live harness racing resumes on Sunday, Feb. 18 with a first post of 6 p.m.
MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
(Northfield Park)