As June begins, that can only mean one thing: stakes season is about to get underway at MGM Northfield Park.
Fans can prepare for a thrilling spectacle as one of the track's most prestigious events, the 38th edition of the $200,000 USD Battle of Lake Erie, will unfold on Saturday, June 8. The race showcases a formidable group of the sport's top veteran pacers.
The box closes for the Battle of Lake Erie on Tuesday, June 4 at 9 a.m., but the list of probable starters features the who's who of harness racing.
Ohio-bred Bythemissal will make his second start of the season following a fifth-place finish in the $136,986 Joe Auger at Harrah's Philadelphia. An earner of more than $2.2 million, the son of Downbytheseaside will try to become the first to win all three of Northfield's signature pacing events, the Battle of Lake Erie, the Myron Charna President's Pace (for Ohio-breds) and the Carl Milstein Memorial.
Midwest favourite Carbine has been lighting up Open competition in central Ohio, earning nearly $260,000 this year. The son of Somebeachsomewhere won the $136,986 Wizard Invitational at Miami Valley Gaming in May. Carbine has earned just shy of $600,000 in his career.
Ohio-bred Charlie May returned to the races last week against Open company at Scioto Downs, finishing fourth behind Carbine. Charlie May won several stakes in 2023 and, with over $2 million in earnings, could also become the first to win all three of Northfield's signature pacing events.
MGM Borgata Pacing Series runner-up Coaches Corner will ship to Northeast Ohio to take on some of North America's top-tier talent following a third-place finish in the Auger at Harrah's Philadelphia. Per Engblom is no stranger to Northfield Park; he won the Tom Aldrich President's Trot with Weslynn Quest in an eye-popping 1:50.4. Coaches Corner has career earnings of nearly $480,000.
Former Horse of the Year and a $1.4 million earner, Desperate Man is getting better with every start and will look to return to winning ways over the Home of the Flying Turns. Desperate Man has earned $245,191 this season and was fourth in the Auger at Harrah's Philadelphia. He is a proven half-mile specialist, with all of his five wins this season coming on a half-mile track.
Hellabalou earned an automatic bid into the $200,000 USD Battle of Lake Erie through a victory in the $626,027 MGM Borgata Pacing Series final at Yonkers Raceway. An earner of $1.5 million, the son of Sweet Lou will enter off a victory in the $150,000 Camluck Classic at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Little Rocket Man is no stranger to Northfield Park, having participated in the Battle of Lake Erie twice before. An earner of $1.1 million, the son of Rockin Image has put together some devastating miles in 2024 and has shown no signs of slowing down. He was fourth in the Wizard Invitational at Miami Valley.
An earner of $753,692, Pennsylvania-bred Linedrive Hanover will look to avenge his loss in the $150,000 Camluck Classic to Hellabalou. After finishing seventh in the Borgata Pacing Series final, his connections shipped him back north, where he was second against Preferred company at Woodbine Mohawk Park before shipping to The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Following a fourth-place finish in a leg of the Graduate, Why Not Now will look to make the second start of the year a winning one in the Battle of Lake Erie. As a sophomore, the four-year-old son by Always A Virgin won the $260,000 Hap Hansen Progress Pace at Dover Downs. With $712,200 in earnings, he will look to add to his stakes resume in the Battle of Lake Erie.
The Battle of Lake Erie program features a stacked undercard with the $75,000 USD MGM Buckeye Distaff for four-year-old and up Ohio-sired mares, Ohio Sires Stakes for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters and the Buckeye Stallion Series for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers.
Post time on Saturday is 6 p.m.
Lady Luck's Clubhouse will offer a buffet on Saturday for $27.95 USD. Reservations can be made by calling 330-467-4101.
Northfield Park currently races four days a week, on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m.
(With files from Northfield Park)