Merriman Cops Pair Of Opens

Published: August 27, 2013 12:43 pm EDT

Aaron Merriman drove the winner in both features at Northfield Park on Monday, August 26. Merriman scored with PL Dragon in the $6,000 Open Pace (Race 2) and again with Normas Rose in the $6,000 Open Trot in the evening’s eighth event.

PL Dragon was a repeat winner in Northfield’s weekly top pacing event. Steven Price owns the six-year-old. Trainer Ryan Angus again called upon Aaron Merriman, who won with the horse last week.

PL Dragon started from Post 7 and was fourth through an opening fraction of :27.1. Merriman brushed to the lead in the second quarter and continued to lead though times of :56 and 1:24.1 before stopping the final clock in 1:53. PL Dragon easily handled his competition and was six lengths in front at the wire.

Monday’s triumph increased PL Dragon’s lifetime win tally to 22 and his career earnings to $204,322. He was heavily favoured and returned $2.80 to win.

Merriman also piloted Normas Rose, who captured the $6,000 Open Trot in the evening’s eighth race for owner/trainer Lee Blodgett of Warren, Ohio.

Normas Rose started from Post 5 and was sent right to the front. She made every pole a winning one and posted the fractions in :27.4, :56.2 and 1:25.2 before hitting the wire first in 1:55.2. She won by three quarters of a length.

Normas Rose now has 38 career victories and 10 wins in 2013. This race pushed her bankroll to $283,237. She paid $9.60 to win.

(Northfield)

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