As the Ohio weather changes for the better, harness fans can start focusing on some exciting racing events slated this year at Northfield Park.
The $200,000 (est.) Battle of Lake Erie is set for Friday, June 12 and has 22 nominees. The nominated list includes two-time Battle of Late Erie champion and the richest Standardbred of all-time, Foiled Again (1:48 f, $6,921,281) and the defending ‘Battle’ champion Clear Vision (148.2 f, $2,312,132).
Battle nominees also include a host of other millionaire performers: Michaels Power (1:48.1 s, $1,748,161), All Bets Off (1:48.3 f, $1,098,092) and Twilight Bonfire (1:50.1 f, $1,003,070).
The $200,000 (est.) Cleveland Trotting Classic will head to post on Friday, July 3. This will be the inaugural event for this newly formed race for veteran trotters. Among the 28 trotters nominated to the Cleveland Trotting Classic are millionaires: Market Share (1:50.2 f, $3,683,960), Daylon Magician (1:51.1 s, $1,786,104) and Celebrity Secret (1:52.3 m, $1,099,663).
The connections of top three year-olds in the country have shown great interest in the $500,000 (est.) Carl Milstein Memorial. This race is for three-year-old pacers and has been slated for Friday, August 14. Included in the 35 nominees are last year’s stand-outs: In The Arsenal (1:49.4 m, $396,318, Go Daddy Go (1:51.1 m, $365,567), Lyons Levi Lewis (1:52.1 s, $362,078) and Lost For Words (1:50.4 m, $200,286). Three sophomores have staked into the Milstein who are still unbeaten. These include: Roland N Rock (14 wins), Wiggle It Jiggleit (6 wins) and Allbeef N Nobull (4 wins).
The $125,000 (est.) Courageous Lady is the final marque event on Northfield’s calendar. North America’s top three year-old pacing fillies will take the stage to compete on Friday, November 27.
Northfield Park’s Stakes Calendar for 2015:
Friday, June 12
• Battle Of Lake Erie
• Ohio Sires Stakes (three year-old filly pace and trot)
Friday, July 3
• Cleveland Trotting Classic
• Ohio Sires Stakes (two year-old filly pace and trot)
Friday, July 17
• Ohio Sires Stakes (three year-old colt pace and trot)
Friday, July 24
• Ohio Sires Stakes (two year-old colt pace and trot)
Saturday, August 1
• Summit County Fair Stakes
Friday, August 14
• Carl Milstein Memorial
• Ohio Sires Stakes (three year-old filly pace and trot)
Friday, August 21
• Ohio Sires Stakes (two year-old colt and filly pace and trot)
Friday, November 27
• Courageous Lady
(Northfield Park)