The Battle of Lake Erie Free-For-All Invitational Pace could shape up to be a rematch of last Friday's Camluck Classic, but with the tables turned in the favour of that race's overland runner-up Linedrive Hanover as he drew the inside post advantage this time while Camluck Classic gate-to-wire winner Hellabalou has drawn post five for their Northfield Park match-up on Saturday, June 8.
Aaron Merriman will pick up the catch-drive for Linedrive Hanover's return stateside in the 38th edition of the $200,000 USD Battle of Lake Erie for trainer Tony Beaton and Canadian connections West Wins Stable, McKinley & Fielding and Mac Nichol. The Ron Burke-trained Hellabalou, also winner of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series, will have Ronnie Wrenn Jr. in the driver's seat for Burke Racing, Eric Good, Weaver Bruscemi and Lawrence Karr.
The Battle is by no means a two-horse race though, with a strong field of top pacers including the likes of the Burke-trained double millionaire Bythemissal (Post 2, Chris Page) and Arthur, Ont. owner Kathy Cecchin's millionaire and former Horse of the Year Desperate Man (Post 9, Matt Kakaley) racing from the Travis Alexander stable, among others.
The draw for the Battle of Lake Erie was conducted on Tuesday, June 4 and is available below along with the field for the companion $75,000 USD MGM Buckeye Distaff.
$200,000 USD Battle of Lake Erie Free-For-All Invitational Pace
Post - Horse - Driver - Trainer
1. Linedrive Hanover - Aaron Merriman - Tony Beaton
2. Bythemissal - Chris Page - Ron Burke
3. Coaches Corner - Jason Bartlett - Per Engblom
4. Carbine - Austin Hanners - Virgil Morgan Jr.
5. Hellabalou - Ronnie Wrenn Jr. - Ron Burke
6. Little Rocket Man - Jeremy Smith - Ken Rucker
7. Charlie May - Brett Miller - Steve Carter
8. Why Not Now - Dan Noble - Todd Luther
9. Desperate Man - Matt Kakaley - Travis Alexander
$75,000 USD MGM Buckeye Distaff
Post - Horse - Driver - Trainer
1. High Flyin Filly - Chris Page - Ron Burke
2. Racing For Three -Trevor Smith - AJ Carlo
3. Tarapasta - Dan Noble - Todd Luther
4. Fear Our Fayth - Aaron Merriman - Randy Smith
5. Soft Spot - Jason Bartlett - Walter Haynes Jr.
6. Smothastenesewisky - Brett Miller - Brian Haynes
7. Hey Hey Mama - Ronnie Wrenn Jr. - Beau Brown
8. Do It Like Bobbi - Austin Hanners - David Elliott
9. Hangon Cowgirl - Billy Davis Jr. - Stacey Currie
(Standardbred Canada)