by Keith Gisser, director of publicity, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Longshots Southwind Wesley and Imagine Freedom battled for the early lead, but favored Polo Jenn took the lead when it mattered — in the stretch — to win Friday’s (May 25) $9,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace in 1:57 on a track rated good after intermittent rain throughout the day and evening.

Ryan Stahl drove Polo Jenn for trainer Jeff Cox and owner Jack Shearer. The 7-year-old daughter of Polo Player became the richest offspring of her sire in April and has now banked $217,599 in her career. The win was her eighth in 17 seasonal starts.

Defending driving champ Aaron Merriman, mired in a bit of a slump despite topping the table so far this year, broke out with four wins on the card.

He won the opener with Charles Linden’s Wet Seal ($4.80), who is trained by his father, Lanny, and the nightcap with Schilling ($10.20), who is conditioned by Kenneth Taylor for Charles Autry. He also won with $8.20 winners Broadway Petera for trainer Bill Mt Pleasant and owner Patricia Smith, and Alabama Co-ed for owners Thomas Carroll and John Dovenbarger, and trainer Steve Croft.

Elliott Deaton also picked up a win with My Sweet Lorelei ($5.00), trained by his brother Mark for owners Gerald Goldberg, Lorelei Stein-Sapir and Larry Goldberg. The win was Deaton’s first local tally since recovering from injuries in a March racing accident.