SLIPPERY ROCK — Bill Bercury’s horses will be chasing after big money Friday night.

Bercury, 71, of Slippery Rock, will have two horses among the nine-horse field in the Meadows Maturity trotting mares race at The Meadowlands in Washington County. The race is the first on the Grand Circuit, a series of high-purse races that runs across the country.

Friday’s race — expected to begin at approximately 9 p.m. — carries a $51,500 purse and is bringing together a field of some of the best trotting mares in the country.

“I like our chances, though,” Bercury said. “Our horses have been performing well and we drew good post positions.”

Daylon Miracle, a 6-year-old, will start from the fourth post while Anaffairtoremember, a 5-year-old, is starting from the third post. They’ve combined to win seven races in 15 starts already this year, picking up nearly $85,000 in winnings.

Bercury and his wife, Renee, own five racehorses. They own a small farm in Slippery Rock, where they exercise and train their horses.

Their horses earned $650,000 in purse money last year.

“By far, that was our best year,” Bercury said. “And we’ve been in the horse business for 35 years now.”

Aaron Merriman, who recorded his 7,000th career win earlier this year, will be driving Daylon Miracle Friday night. Mike Wilder, one of the top drivers at The Meadows, will be steering Anaffairtoremember.

Daylon Miracle was named Trotting Mare of the Year at The Meadows last season.

Last year’s national Trotter of the Year, Shake It Cerry, will be among the nine-horse field Friday. That horse has won more than $2 million lifetime and will be driven by Dave Pallone, harness racing’s all-time victory leader with more than 17,000 career wins.

Former Pennsylvania Sire Stake champion Classic Martine is also in the race. That horse has nearly $1 million lifetime earnings.

Cowgirl Hall will be driven by Ron Burke, one of the top trainers in the country. He guided horses to $27 million in purse earnings just last year alone.

“The best of the best will be out there,” Bercury said. “The challenge is exciting and we’re looking forward to it.”

The next race in the Grand Circuit will be May 3 in Miami Valley, Ohio. The Bercurys will have horses in that one as well.

“We hope to compete in some of the other races on that circuit. We have to wait and see how our horses perform, first,” Bercury said.

The overall race card at The Meadows is scheduled to start at approximately 7 p.m. Friday.