Northfield, OH — With the first draw for the Northfield/Pompano Driver’s Challenge in the books, Team Northfield, comprised of Ronnie Wrenn Jr., Billy Davis Jr., Aaron Merriman, and Chris Lems, is set to do battle with the drivers from Pompano Park beginning Tuesday (April 11) at MGM Northfield Park in partnership with the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association.

Ronnie Wrenn Jr., who began his driving career in 2008, recently eclipsed the 7,000 career win mark with a score at MGM Northfield Park. With two national dash titles and over $54 million in career earnings, Wrenn is looking forward to the competition. While he has competed against David Miller and Wally Hennessey before, he has never met Joe Chindano or John MacDonald.

“I’m looking forward to showing the Pompano boys how we drive at Northfield Park,” said a confident Wrenn. “Parking tickets will be handed out — maybe not to Purple Jesus, though — because he’s still the man.”

One of Wrenn’s most significant wins came in the Midwest at Scioto Downs when he upset heavy favorite State Treasurer with Steve Elliott trainee Doo Wop Hanover in the $225,000 Jim Ewart Memorial in 2015. Wrenn has taken over the Ron Burke account at Northfield Park, regularly driving for the sport’s leading trainer.

Moving to Ohio from Ontario in April 2021, Billy Davis Jr. quickly became a staple at Northfield Park, picking up many driving accounts.

“I’ve regained a love for racing since moving to Ohio,” said Davis. “Everyone has been extremely nice and professional.”

Davis, who has 3,559 trips to the winner’s circle, came close to scoring the biggest win of his career in the 2022 edition of Northfield Park’s signature event, the Battle of Lake Erie. He drove Jimmy Freight from post eight and turning for home looked like a winner, before being nailed on the wire by MGM Borgata Pacing series champion Funatthebeach N.

An earner of over $27 million in his career, Davis is excited to prove that he can compete with some of North America’s top-tier talent.

“I’m always up for a challenge, and like anything else, I will use this as a learning experience,” said Davis.

The 2018 Driver of the Year Aaron Merriman has participated in many driver’s challenges but never in one at his home track. Merriman is looking forward to racing drivers that he doesn’t get to go against regularly. Merriman is looking to eliminate the stigma that just because you don’t drive in major stakes doesn’t mean you don’t belong on the same playing field.

“I already compete against some of the top talents in North America; just cause a few guys aren’t on the Grand Circuit doesn’t mean they aren’t the same talent.”

With his usual competitive spirit, Merriman says it will be fun racing against some great drivers, and of course, he is looking forward to winning.

“It’s always nice to compete,” said the talented reinsman.

An earner of over $105 million with 14,642 victories, Merriman has guided some of harness racing’s stars to the winner’s circle in multiple Grand Circuit events in Ohio and across the country.

Lems shipped his tack to MGM Northfield Park in 2017 to try something new after racing much of his career on the New York circuit. Known for being a talented horseman on the New York Sire Stakes circuit, he has become a household name in Northeast Ohio. Since moving to Northfield Park, he has put together some of the biggest seasons of his career, having earned over $21 million in purses.

“It’s been a good move for me; Ohio has many great racing opportunities,” said Lems.

His biggest win came in the $300,000 Ohio Sires Stakes 3-year-old male trot final last year with Scott Cox trainee Longshot. Lems is also co-owner of Winning Shadow, who for two years in a row has been the co-winningest horse in harness racing in seasonal wins.

“The competition should be fun to drive in,” said Lems. “I’m looking forward to earning the bragging points when we win the competition.”

Tuesday evening kicks off the two-night competition between Northfield Park and Pompano Park. For those guests on-track, Northfield Park will offer a $1,000 handicapping contest on the eight-race challenge each night.

On April 11, guests will select their top four finishers in each challenge race, and points will be awarded based on the drivers’ finishing spot. The guest with the most points will claim the $1,000 prize.

On April 12, guests must select the winning driver and the winning team for each race. The $1,000 prize will be claimed by the guest with the most points. If the same guest wins both (or parts of both contests) a $500 bonus will be awarded.

Sign-up for both contests will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

There will be many great wagering opportunities for those tuning in, with the standard $10,000 guaranteed late Pick-4 (race 11) and Super High 5 (race 13) featured both nights.

First post on Tuesday and Wednesday is 6 p.m.

MGM Northfield Park races on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. For more information on live racing and promotions, visit www.northfieldpark.com.