by Keith Gisser, assistant publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Ken Bencic’s Western Empire took Saturday’s (Feb. 10) $10,000 Invitational Pace at Northfield Park, sitting behind pacesetter Camn Yankee and pulling out before the three-quarter pole to post a 1:54.4, 3-1/2 length win over favored King Cole, with Key Western third.

Aaron Merriman drove the 5-year-old Westerrn Hanover gelding, who won for the 11th time this season. He is trained by Jodi Schillaci.

Merriman won five of the first six races on the card, including the third race Invitational. He also scored with McGee Hee, owned and trained by Schillaci; Goden Czar A, owned by Schillaci in partnership with Egidio DiPaola and Michael and Linda Boibniz; with the Sean Gilbraith-trainee Adelia’s Artist, who overcame post eight to win and with Duane Miller’s trotter Final Scorpion, before finishing the card with seven wins.

Mama cashes in Mares Open

15-1 Mama Cash upset the $7,500 Mares Open Pace on Friday (Feb. 9), with a grinding, second-over, 1:57.1 effort.

The Mickey Burke-trainee, owned by Sylvia Burke and W.W. Haas, Jr., was 5-1/4 lengths better than She’s Ruffstuff at the wire. Andy Shetler drove the 5-year-old Jenna’s Beach Boy mare to her fifth victory of the season.