by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — Northfield Park hosted four Scarlet and Gray stakes on Saturday evening (September 3).

The $26,400 Mare Trot saw a rejuvenated BV’s Sister ($3.80), the 2008 champ, pass Tom’s OK Lady, who had prevailed the last two years in the event, to win in 1:56.4. Behind BV’s Sister and Tom’s OK Lady came Laser Lucy, Northmedo Amnesty and Mom’s A Hustler.

“She really won this easier than I thought she would; everything just worked out well for us,” said her driver, Dan Noble, who piloted her to a perfect garden trip.

The 2007 and 2010 pacing mare champion, Don’t Blame Her ($2.10), scored again in this year’s $26,400 event in 1:52.1, a new track record for pacing mares five years old and up, formerly held by Cam’s Valentine since 2002. Dan Noble was again in the sulky to make it a Scarlet and Gray daily double. Crossing the wire after Don’t Blame Her was Forever Lucky, Wildfire Osborne, Shez Good Osborne and Lavish Liz.

“I was a little nervous at the half when she was gapping, but when it was time to go, she went easy and could have gone more,” said Northfield’s leading resinsman.

Rompaway Beau ($4.40) won the $31,400 Horses and Gelding Trot division by coming up the passing lane for a 1:56 victory over last year’s champ, Rembrandt Spur. Following Romapaway Beau were Rembrandt Spur, Diamond Hunter, Sing Jesse Sing, Deep Chip and Christina Victory.

Aaron Merriman was aboard and described the winner as a “very handy horse.”

“I never popped the plugs,” said Merriman. “They could not have had him more ready.”

The $32,400 Horse and Gelding Pace was a walk in the park for last year’s winner, War Boots ($3.40). Trainer/Driver Ray Paver, “stirred him up early” to get away first off the gate and led the field to a 1:52.4 victory. Finishing behind the winner was Doc’s Yankee, Valentowner, B T Attack, Show Me Glory, Cruise On Osborne, Osborne’s Yankee and Gordie How.

Paver noted that the winner was “the best he’s been this year.”

“My main threat was (Doc’s Yankee) sitting on my back, but he did it handily,” concluded Paver about War Boots.