Crazy Luv Bug broke out of a mini-slump when she captured Thursday’s $9,500 Fillies and Mares Open Pace at Northfield Park for driver Aaron Merriman.

The Paul Holzman pupil dropped into the three-hole for Merriman, who watched Hugs Again cut the first quarter in :28.2. Crazy Luv Bug came first-over and pressed the leader through middle panels of :57.2 and 1:26.1. A :29.1 closing quarter was good enough to earn Crazy Luv Bug the win by a quarter of a length over Canaco Star, with Petite Courageuse finishing third.

Ameer Najor of West Bloomfield, Michigan owns the six-year-old daughter of American Ideal-Luvs For Ever who won for the first time in five trips to the track in 2014. Sent off as the even-money favourite, Crazy Luv Bug bumped her bankroll to $213,258 with the victory.

(With files from Northfield Park)