by Keith Gisser, assistant publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — In Saturday’s (Feb. 3) $10,500 Invitational Handicap Pace at Northfield, Ryan Stahl moved Henry Sculte’s King Cole into the cover flow at the half and when it stalled, he tipped three-wide up the backstretch, picking up a 1:56.2 win on a night with wind chills pegged at -10F.

Mike Weller trains the winner, a 7-year-old Cole Muffler gelding with lifetime earnings of $144,629. Favored Perfect Door cut the fractions and finished second, while Western Empire got the show money.

Polo Jenn is tops in Mares Open

Jack Shearer’s Polo Jenn made good use of post position two, firing to the front and leading at every call in Friday’s (Feb. 2) $7,500 Mares Open Pace.

The 7-year-old Polo Player mare posted fractions of :28.3, :59.4 ( a 31-second breather that clinched the victory), and 1:29.2 before stopping the timer in 1:58.3.

The win was her third in five starts this year and pushed her career earnings to $190,799. Ryan Stahl drove the winner for trainer Jeff Cox, part of a triple on the night’s card.

Trainer/driver Ron Steck picked up wins with trotters Interstate Kate and Kipling Avenue, both owned by Bob Chapman and his Westgate Motors.