by Keith Gisser, assistant publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Daryl Sherman’s Key Western stalked pacesetter Western Empire and then held off the late charge of favored Ataboy Art to win Saturday’s (Dec. 16) $10,000 Invitational Handicap Pace at Northfield in 1:54.

Kent Sherman trains the 6-year-old gelded son of Western Hanover, who was driven by Ray Fisher, Jr. Key Western has now won 12 times this season while banking $80,300, and has career earnings of $189,433.

The win was one of two on the card for Fisher, but it was 23-year-old Dan Noble, recently relocated to the Flying Turns, who led the way with four wins on the card.

Bacon Hill Dannie takes Mares Open

A robust Santa Sack crowd of 4,176 saw Bacon Hill Dannie ($24.40) and Aaron Merriman upset Friday’s (Dec. 15) $8,000 Mares Open Handicap field.

The Jodi Schillaci-trainee, owned by Caliente Cab Stable of Bedford, New York, followed cover from favored Ashland Blue, tipping three-wide at the three-quarters to get a 1-3/4 length, 1:56 win over Look To Book and Mama Cash.

It was one of three wins for Merriman on the card.