A deep and accomplished field of the sport’s best trotters have tentatively accepted invitations to MGM Northfield Park’s premier trotting event, the $175,000 Cleveland Trotting Classic, which will take place next Saturday (June 29).
Marion Marauder, winner of the 2018 Cleveland Trotting Classic, is expected to defend his title for trainer Paula Wellwood. Marion Marauder, the 2016 Trotting Triple Crown champion and winner of over $3.1 million in purses, will likely face off against 2015 Hambletonian champion Pinkman and his $2.8-million career bankroll next weekend at Northfield.
Two-time Breeders Crown champion Emoticon Hanover, who sports a lifetime bankroll of over $1.5 million; Homicide Hunter, with a lifetime mark of 1:48.4, a Breeders Crown win and $1.7 million in earnings; and multiple stakes winner Plunge Blue Chip with her million-dollar bankroll, are also expected to head to northeast Ohio.
Guardian Angel AS, victorious in his last three starts, including the $100,000 Maxie Lee Invitational at Harrah’s Philadelphia, is also pointed to Cleveland for trainer Annette Lorentzon.
Weslynn Dancer, who has collected over $187,452 in purses this season, will head to Northfield off a place finish in the $192,000 Armbro Flight Final at Woodbine Mohawk Park outside Toronto.
Also coming in from Canada is Musical Rhythm, who is riding a six-race winning streak against ppen company at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The draw for the $175,000 Cleveland Trotting Classic is set for Tuesday morning (June 25). Entries for the invitation-only event will not be finalized until then.
First race post time is 6 p.m. on Cleveland Trotting Classic night. The undercard features multiple divisions of the Ohio Sires Stakes for three-year-old colt pacers and the finals of Northfield’s Spring Late Closers.
(Northfield Park)