by Keith Gisser, assistant publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Leading driver Greg Grismore won six races at Northfield on Friday night (Nov. 24), but he was unable to win the $8,500 Filly and Mares Open thanks to a superior effort from 3-year-old filly Van Anna.

The Courageous Lady champ, who raced in the $181,450 Matron final at Dover in her last start, finishing fourth, was forced four wide at the three-quarter pole, but it made no difference as Chip Noble drove the impressive Nobleland Sam miss to a 1:54.2, 4-3/4 length win that could have been more.

She stepped off a comfortably brisk :28 final panel to ice the decision. Grismore was second with favored Ashland Blue, while Look Top Book finished third.

Van Anna, trained by Danny Collins for Bob Kauffman, now of Wellington, Florida, has banked $148,205 this year and $269,621 in her career. The win was her seventh in 16 seasonal starts and the 11th of her career (in 24 starts).