Driver Aaron Merriman was sidelined for three months following a May 8 accident at Scioto Downs. He returned to competition Wednesday, Aug. 5 at MGM Northfield Park, and quickly reached the winner’s circle.

Merriman, North America’s leading dash winner on multiple occasions, was listed to drive eight horses on Wednesday evening. He started the program with a runner-up finish behind Jetter Express before guiding El Comandante to a third-place effort in race three.

In the next race, he hit paydirt, collecting his first winner on the program with favoured Countryofmars. He reached the winner’s circle again in race six, piloting Windsong Patriot to a two-length score. 

Merriman finished on the board in six drives, registering a trio of second-place finishes and a third-place effort.

With his pair of winners, the veteran reinsman has 301 victories this season despite the extended time away. That total ranks him sixth among all drivers in North America.

Merriman suffered five broken ribs, a shattered scapula and a partially collapsed lung in the May accident, leading to an extended recovery. 

(Standardbred Canada)