Northfield, OH — Spirit Bell etched her name into the MGM Northfield Park history books on Tuesday (Nov. 3) with a dominant track record performance.

Spirit Bell and Aaron Merriman set a new Northfield Park track record for 4-year-old trotting mares on Tuesday (Nov. 3). JJ Zamaiko photo.

Spirit Bell, who last raced against some of the top open trotting mares in Ohio on Oct. 16, made short work of her foes with a 1:54.1 mile, the fastest ever by a 4-year-old trotting mare at Northfield.

Aaron Merriman was able to get a comfortable lead for Spirit Bell from the get-go, as much of the field was gapped throughout the mile. Warrior Way (Kurt Sugg) was the favorite’s closest aggressor, but proved no match for the Kent Sherman trainee, who drew off to win by five lengths.

Spirit Bell put up fractions of :27.4, 57, and 1:25.1 en route to her record setting performance. The previous record of 1:54.2 was put up by Joyfulntriumphant in 2018.

With her second victory of 2020, Spirit Bell has amassed $25,513 in seasonal earnings for owners Melissa Patterson and Daryl Sherman.

Live racing continues at MGM Northfield Park five days a week — racing Saturday through Wednesday — with first post at 6 p.m.