Northfield: Strong field assembled for Grade 3 Courageous Lady

A powerhouse group of pacing fillies will square off in this year’s $150,000 Grade 3 Courageous Lady at Northfield Park. Stakes credentials can be found up and down the entire field.

The nine-filly lineup includes a Breeders Crown and Jugette winner, a two-time Ohio Sires Stakes champion, a New York Sires Stakes champion, a James Lynch Memorial winner and a New Jersey Classic winner, making for one of the deepest editions of the Courageous Lady in its history.

Leading the way is millionaire Loua Dipa who really needs no introduction. She is a Breeders Crown champion, Jugette winner and a Fan Hanover winner. It could take another special performance from this superstar as she draws post eight with Ronnie Wrenn Jr., listed at 4-1.

Loua Dipa will also renew her rivalry with Be Perfect BG, with the two accomplished fillies set to meet once again. The pair have already finished heads apart twice this season, including a spectacular stretch battle in the Fan Hanover. These two titans of the sport will throw down once again with Be Perfect BG having a slight post edge leaving from post six with Dexter Dunn and listed at 7-2.

The status as morning line favorite belongs to Sangria Summer at 3-1 with Matt Kakaley driving from post two. She also comes in with an impressive resume including wins in the James Lynch Memorial and Shady Daisy.

Also in the field is two-time Ohio Sires Stakes champion Seaside Shuffle starting from the second tier with Chris Page at 10-1. Another Sires Stakes winner comes in from New York in the way of Savage Cindy from post 4 with Dan Noble and is listed at 9-2.

The race has a special local connection in Perfect Thought, who is stabled at Northfield Park. She’ll have the home-track advantage with Anthony MacDonald aboard from post three at 12-1.

Rounding out the field are Prtynproud Hanover, with three-time winner of this race Dave Palone at 6-1; Vanna By The River with Aaron Merriman at 15-1; and Rodeo Dancer with Brett Miller at 20-1.

From the top of the morning line to the longest shot on the board, there are stakes credentials throughout the field. With multiple major stakes winners, champions from several state-bred programs, a local contender, and the latest chapter in the Loua Dipa–Be Perfect BG rivalry, the Courageous Lady has all the ingredients to be one for the ages.

Post time at Northfield on Saturday is 6:00 PM (EDT) for the first of 15 races. The program also features eight $50,000 divisions of the Ohio Fair Championships.

Full field, drivers, and morning lines listed below in post-position order.

Courageous Lady Field

Post Horse Driver Morning Line

1 Prtynproud Hanover Dave Palone 6-1

2 Sangria Summer Matt Kakaley 3-1

3 Perfect Thought Anthony MacDonald 12-1

4 Savage Cindy Dan Noble 9-2

5 Vanna By The River Aaron Merriman 15-1

6 Be Perfect BG Dexter Dunn 7-2

7 Rodeo Dancer Brett Miller 20-1

8 Loua Dipa Ronnie Wrenn Jr. 4-1

9 Seaside Shuffle Chris Page 10-1

-edited release (Northfield Park)