Driver Aaron Merriman, who led all North American harness drivers when he was seriously injured in a racing spill at the Meadows on June 11, will be returning to the sulky in the coming days

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Merriman's return will come at his home track, Northfield Park, on Friday, October 15.

His return is coming several months earlier than was originally thought.

On June 11 of this year, Merriman was piloting Sound Dragin who made a break and fell while racing first-over near the three-quarter pole. In a chain reaction accident, Merriman was thrown to the ground, and three horses in the eight-horse field could not clear the fallen pair.

"I am not going to try to drive full cards or anything," said Merriman, who ranks second at Northfield and 19th in the United States despite four months of inactivity. "But the doctor said the only way to find out how things are is to drive. Everything is healed, I've been lifting weights and I am excited to be back in action, but I am going to take it easy to start."

Merriman is scheduled to debut with Holdzmfromfloppin, a horse trained by his father, Lanny, in Race 7. He is also listed on Gifted Atatck (Race 8), Longlegacy (Race 9) and French Worker (Race 14).

First-race post time Friday at Northfield is 7:00 p.m.

(With files from Northfield)

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