Northeast Ohio’s newest premier race, the Cleveland Trotting Classic, will head to post this Saturday (July 1) at Northfield Park. The ‘Classic’ carries a purse of $185,000 and has attracted some of the top veteran trotters in North America.
The Grand Circuit race is the featured event on a program that includes four $40,000 divisions of Ohio Sire Stakes for three-year-old colt pacers.
Resolve drew Post 1 and has been named the 8-5 morning line favourite. Resolve will enter Saturday’s race off a 1:54.3 mile against Open company at Yonkers Raceway. The race was his first start in the United States since having returned from Sweden where he competed in the prestigious Elitlopp at Solvalla Racetrack. In 2016, Resolve won the $1 million Yonkers International Trot, a race that was renewed after a 20-year hiatus. Resolve sports 16 wins, lifetime earnings of $2,327,254, and a mark of 1:50.1.
Crazy Wow is the 3-1 second choice. He drew Post 2 for powerhouse trainer Ron Burke. The five-year-old has two wins this year, including a track record-setting win at Scioto Downs in the Charlie Hill Memorial Trot on June 10 and an impressive victory in the Maxie Lee Invitational at Harrah’s Philadelphia. He has garnered career earnings of $1,772,564 and took a mark of 1:51.1 at Vernon Downs in 2014.
The 2016 winner of the Cleveland Trotting Classic, Obrigado, will return to northeast Ohio to defend his crown. Obrigado comes off two strong efforts, including a second to Crazy Wow in the Charlie Hill. Mark MacDonald will be looking for back-to-back Cleveland Trotting Classic wins, as he is scheduled to drive the talented seven-year-old gelding. Obrigado has a mark of 1:50.3 at the Meadowlands and has made $1,684,749.
“This is the strongest field of trotters we have hosted in my 26 years at Northfield,” said Northfield Park Executive Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting Dave Bianconi.
The 2017 Cleveland Trotting Classic field appears below.
(Horse-Driver-Trainer-Morning Line Odds)
1 – Resolve – Ake Svanstedt – Ake Svanstedt – 8-5
2 – Crazy Wow – Chris Page – Ron Burke – 3-1
3 – Il Sogno Dream – Aaron Merriman – Christopher Beaver – 10-1
4 – Obrigado – Mark MacDonald – Paul Kelley – 9-2
5 – Fly Jesse Fly – Peter Wrenn – Ron Otto – 20-1
6 – Maestro Blue Chip – Ronnie Wrenn Jr. – Scott Di Domenico – 12-1
7 – Homicide Hunter – Aaron Merriman – Chris Oakes – 8-1
8 – Will Take Charge – TBA – John Bax – 15-1
Driver selections will be finalized by 9 p.m. Tuesday evening.
This year’s Classic program undercard is highlighted by four $40,000 Ohio Sires Stakes races featuring the best sophomore colt and gelding pacers in the Buckeye State.
Superfecta wagering has been added to Saturday’s 11th race, the Classic feature, and will carry a guaranteed pool of $15,000. A $7,500 guaranteed Pick-4 has also been added and covers Races 8 through 11. First race post time is 6 p.m.
The first 1,000 racing fans (18 and older) will receive a free limited edition 60th anniversary t-shirt from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. or while supplies last. In addition, from 6-10 p.m. stop by the outdoor apron to listen to country band, Tony Rio and Relentless perform between races, or stop by and try the delicious offerings of Smash Time food truck and Crooked Kettle Popcorn Stand, or try your luck at the beer slide from 7-8 p.m. for cash and prizes.
Cleveland Trotting Classic night attendees will receive a bonus entry for the 60th Anniversary Car Giveaway making them eligible to win a 2017 Buick Cascada or a 2017 Honda CR-V. One lucky winner will be drawn randomly on Carl Milstein Memorial Night on Aug. 12. Every summer has a story…start yours at Northfield Park!
(Northfield Park)