P L Dragon and Victory Is Coming captured their respective $6,000 Open assignments during Monday evening’s card of racing at Northfield Park.
Trainer Ryan Angus called upon Aaron Merriman to drive P L Dragon (Dragon Again-Go Wilma Go), and Merriman had him on the lead through blistering fractions of :26.4, :55.2 and 1:23.3 before scooting home in a :28-second clip en route to the 1:51.3 decision. Goodnite Goodluck was next best, with Kiasma taking home the show dough.
Steven Price of East Moline, Illinois owns the six-year-old pacer who bumped his lifetime win tally to 21 and his career earnings to $201,322. He was heavily favoured and returned $2.20 to win.
Victory Is Coming captured the $6,000 Open Trot for owners Betty and John Red Shaw of Mount Vernon, Ohio. Aamon Hershberger is the six year-old mare’s trainer and pilot. Victory Is Coming (Victory Sam-Norse Comer) started from post eight and sat mid-pack through fractions of :27.3, :56.2 and 1:26. Hershberger asked her to trot in the stretch and she responded. Victory Is Coming stopped the clock in 1:56, besting her competition by 2-1/4 lengths. Lady Rev was the runner-up, with Normas Rose finishing third.
Victory Is Coming now has six wins in 2013 and 34 career successes. Monday’s victory pushed her career bankroll to $383,145. She paid $5.60 to win.
$10,000 Guaranteed Pick-5 Total Pool Added To Tuesday’s Card
Northfield Park has announced the addition of a $10,000 Pick-5 total pool guarantee to its Tuesday, August 20 program.
Beginning in Race 3, the $10,000 Pick-5 guaranteed total pool includes a carryover of $2,221.81.
Northfield’s Pick 5, Pick 4 and the Pick 3 offer a reduced takeout rate of just 14 per cent.
Tuesday’s first-race post time is 6:30 p.m.
(Northfield Park)