A 41-day layoff proved to be no issue for Blue Ivy on Saturday night (Jan. 28) as she coasted to a 2-1/2 length victory in the featured $18,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace.

Driver Aaron Merriman wasted no time leaving the gate with Blue Ivy, putting her on the lead through the initial turn. And heading to the opening quarter of :28, the field stacked up in straight alignment behind the champion mare.

Blue Ivy got to the half in a soft :57 with her closest pursuers, Rock Me Cristal and Diamondtequilashot, 1-1/4 lengths away. Heading into the clubhouse turn, Merriman let the big mare out a notch, opening a 1-3/4 length lead at three-quarters in 1:24.4.

Turning for home, Merriman never really asked Blue Ivy for much, cruising home to an easy 1:53.2 victory. Diamondtequilashot was able to hold on to second, while Smothastenesewisky finished a third after a ground-saving trip.

With the victory, Blue Ivy has now earned $724,490 for owner-trainer Renee Bercury. She is inching closer to the 50-win mark, with 48 victories in 110 starts.

Racing resumes on Sunday with a first post of 6 p.m. The program features an action-packed 15-race program, highlighted by the $10,000 guaranteed Pick-4 (Race 11) and $10,000 guaranteed Super High 5 (Race 13).

MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

(Northfield Park)