Aaron Merriman had a pre-Thanksgiving celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 22 at MGM Northfield Park, earning his 15,183rd victory late in the program to tie for third in all-time wins with driver Herve Filion.
"It's totally surreal. Herve was one of the greatest drivers of all time; to be in the same vicinity of his greatness is astounding to me," said a jubilant Merriman on social media.
While Merriman had many drives throughout the day, it was Dudley who helped him tie the record with a come-from-behind win for trainer Whitney Johnson.
Bluebird Revival (Hunter Myers) and Gianna Grace (Eric Tharps Jr.) left alertly and duelled through the opening turn, with Gianna Grace coming away with the lead. However, the lead was short-lived as Divine Zette (Anthony MacDonald) pulled to even terms at the quarter in :29, finally clearing around the far turn for the first time.
The field was in straight alignment past the half in :58.4, but the action started to heat up heading to three-quarters in 1:29, with Dudley tipping first-over for Merriman. Turning for home, Dudley easily handled Divine Zette and fended off all challengers to win by three lengths in 2:00.
Merriman, who began his driving career in 1997, has won the Northfield dash title 10 times throughout his career and has been the national dash champion in eight straight seasons. Merriman has more than $112 million in career earnings.
Halekai III takes Autumn Leaves Series final
Halekai III got the perfect trip in the $25,000 Autumn Leaves Series final, upsetting race favourite Contechsfashion for driver Anthony MacDonald.
Contechsfashion (Aaron Merriman) and JB Velvet (Aaron Johnston) left together through the first eighth of a mile, with Contechsfashion clearing mid-way around the opening turn. Halekai III, parked through a :28.2 opening quarter, finally cleared into the far turn for the first time.
Once MacDonald made the lead, there would be no looking back as Halekai III led the field through an ucontested half in :58.1. JB Velvet tipped to the outside just past the half to take her shot at Halekai III and got within a nose of the lead at three-quarters in 1:27.3.
Around the final turn, JB Velvet took the lead momentarily from Halekai III, but when MacDonald asked his filly for more, she responded, opening up easily, winning by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:59. JB Velvet hung on for second and Fox Valley Shania (Chris Lems) rallied to be third.
It was the seventh career victory -- fifth this season in 26 starts -- for the three-year-old daughter by Father Patrick, who is owned by Thestable Halekai Group and trained by Jason McGinnis. Halekai III pushed her career earnings to $85,891 with the win.
Live harness racing resumes on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. at MGM Northfield Park.
(With files from Northfield Park)