Rodeo Drive Deo will travel to MGM Northfield Park on Saturday, Oct. 11, where the recently crowned Jugette winner will face eight other talented fillies in the $125,000 USD Courageous Lady (Grade 3). The race is an invitational for three-year-old filly pacers.
Rodeo Drive Deo has built a strong resume during her sophomore campaign with six wins in 16 starts. Following a 1:51.2 victory in the Home Grown at The Meadowlands on Apr. 26, her connections sent her to Woodbine Mohawk Park to race in the Grade 1 $390,000 Fan Hanover. She rebounded in the final of that event after a tough trip in the elimination, rallying late down the stretch and finishing a game second to arch-rival Miki And Minnie. Rodeo Drive Deo, owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Beasty LLC, and J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby, was second in her $416,667 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Final at The Meadows, then shipped to Delaware, Ohio, for the Grade 1 $388,889 Jugette. There, she won both her elimination (1:51) and the final (1:50.1).
In last week’s $334,722 Glen Garnsey Memorial at The Red Mile, she was parked to a :53.4 half and tired late in the mile. She faded to eighth.
“We had a tough trip in the Garnsey," said Ron Burke, who trains the Captaintreacherous-Miss L A filly. "She came out of the race really well, and I expect her to be better on Saturday."
Rodeo Drive Deo will have regular pilot David Miller in the sulky as she challenges some familiar competition and some new faces, who are taking their first crack at Grand Circuit company.
Ohio Sires Stakes champion Prolific Fire has her eyes set on a Grand Circuit prize. She is in the midst of a strong season, also highlighted by a victory in the Ohio Breeders Championship at the Delaware County Fair on Sept. 18. The Catch The Fire-Alexas Jewel filly is three-for-14 as a sophomore. She is owned by Greg Luther Racing LLC and trained by Todd Luther.
Her connections have watched their talented filly grow throughout the year and believe she is ready for the challenge on Saturday.
“She started training better after the last leg of the Sires Stakes, and that’s when I noticed her attitude start to change for the better in the barn,” said Todd Luther.
Also competing on Saturday are Pennsylvania Stallion Series Final runner-up Sammy Jo Hanover, Nadia Lobell champion Odds On Chesapeake, Adioo Volo winner Time Of The Season, New York Sire Stakes standout Fansville, New Jersey Classic champion Worklifebalance, Keystone Classic division winner Pilar Hanover, and stakes winner Papi Grad.
“We’re very pleased to get such a strong and full field of fillies, including the Jugette champion, to highlight our final stakes card of 2025,” said Dave Bianconi, Northfield Park’s Director of Racing.
The full field for the Courageous Lady is below.
$125,000 USD Courageous Lady (Grade 3)
Post - Horse - Driver - Trainer - Morning Line Odds
1. Sammy Jo Hanover - Dan Noble - Scott Di Domenico - 10-1
2. Odds On Chesapeake - Ronnie Wrenn Jr. - Virgil Morgan Jr. - 7-2
3. Time Of The Season - Aaron Merriman - Tim Twaddle - 4-1
4. Prolific Fire - Austin Hanners - Todd Luther - 6-1
5. Rodeo Drive Deo - David Miller - Ron Burke - 2-1
6. Fansville - Jack Pelling - Joe Bongiorno - 8-1
7. Worklifebalance - Aaron Merriman - Noel Daley - 15-1
8. Pilar Hanover - TBA - Jim King Jr. - 20-1
9. Papi Grad - Dan Noble - Steve Carter - 12-1
AE. Our Honor Defend - Case Bateson - Scott Betts
The Courageous Lady is one of nine stakes races on the power-packed 15-race program. The evening also features eight $50,000 USD Ohio Fairs Championships and a pair of paces with all female drivers.
From a wagering standpoint, there will be a pair of $20,000 estimated Pick-4 pools in races 8 and 11. Both wagers feature a $1 minimum and a low 14 per cent takeout.
Extra incentives for patrons attending on Saturday include the Big Top Prize Drawings taking place from 6-9 p.m. Guests may begin entering their names at 5 p.m. Six names drawn each hour will have a chance to play one of the three Big Top Games. The popular Summerfest Grille Tent will be open on Saturday from 6-9 p.m. Lady Luck’s Clubhouse will be open on Saturday night, featuring a buffet for $27.95 USD. For reservations, contact 330-467-4101.
Post time on Saturday is 6 p.m.
(Northfield Park)