The field is officially set for the 40th edition of the Grade 2 Battle of Lake Erie, as nine accomplished pacers will line up behind the starting gate to compete for a purse of $250,000 USD at Northfield Park on Saturday, June 6.
The Battle of Lake Erie has once again attracted a star-studded group of older pacers from some of North America's top stables. The field features multiple stakes winners and seasoned veterans, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated races of the season at Northfield Park.
Captain Albano, a career earner of $3.2 million in purses, is the 3-1 morning line favourite from post three for trainer Noel Daley and driver Todd McCarthy. Captain Albano’s resume includes a victory in his last start in the MGM Borgata Pacing Series final at Yonkers Raceway on May 8 and the prestigious Little Brown Jug at the Delaware (OH) County Fairgrounds in 2024.
Other top contenders include recent Joseph Auger Memorial Invitational winner Ken Hanover, starting from post six with Brett Miller driving for trainer Roland "Polie" Mallar, and this year's Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup champion Prince Hal Hanover, from post five with Matt Kakaley picking up the catch-drive for Dr. Ian Moore.
$250,000 USD Battle of Lake Erie (Grade 2)
Post – Horse – Listed Driver – Trainer – Morning Line Odds
1. Women Layer - Luke Hanners - Virgil Morgan Jr. - 6-1
2. Mossdale Ben N - Jim Marohn Jr. - Peter Tritton - 4-1
3. Captain Albano - Todd McCarthy - Noel Daley - 3-1
4. Helium N - Dan Noble - Christi Noble - 12-1
5. Prince Hal Hanover - Matt Kakaley - Dr. Ian Moore - 9-2
6. Ken Hanover - Brett Miller - Roland Mallar - 7-2
7. For Once Inmy Life - Jordan Stratton - Cory Stratton - 15-1
8. Bythemissal - Chris Page - Ron Burke - 20-1
9]. Huntinthelastdolar - Tyler Smith - Per Engblom 10-1
With the richest purse in the history of the event at a quarter of a million dollars and a field packed with talent, the 40th Battle of Lake Erie promises to deliver another memorable chapter in the history books.
The co-featured invitational event, the Buckeye Distaff, will also go for its first six-figure purse of $100,000 USD. That field includes nine top Ohio-sired pacing mares.
$100,000 Buckeye Distaff
Post – Horse – Listed Driver – Trainer
1. Real Star - Trevor Smith - Scott Mogan
2. Hey Hey Mama - Luke Hanners - Virgil Morgan Jr.
3. Naked On A Hill - Chris Page - Ron Burke
4. High Flyin Filly - Dan Noble - Ron Burke
5. Prolific Fire - Mike Wilder - Todd Luther
6. Factory Girl - Dan Noble - Scott Di Domenico
7. Odds On Chesapeake - Todd McCarthy - Virgil Morgan Jr.
8. Tarapasta - Matt Kakaley - Todd Luther
9]. No Foolin April - Brett Miller - Adam Short
The 16-race program is loaded with stakes throughout as there are five divisions of Buckeye Stallion Series for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings as well as five divisions on the trotting side. There will also be four divisions of Buckeye Claiming Series for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
Live racing kicks off at 6 p.m. on Saturday. It will be the first of five consecutive nights of live racing at the "home of the flying turns."
(With files from Northfield Park)