Bythemissal became the first horse in nearly 30 years to win Ohio Horse of the Year honours in back-to-back years in 2023. On Saturday, June 4, he returns 'home' to MGM Northfield Park, with his eyes set on the $200,000 USD Battle of Lake Erie.
The 38th edition of the War on the Shore features one of the deepest fields in the event's history, with more $11 million in combined career earnings.
"The race has come a long way from when its originator, former Northfield Park Director of Racing Gregg Keidel, lured in Falcon Seelster and Chairmanoftheboard to race against local horses in 1986," said Dave Bianconi, Director of Racing Operations at MGM Northfield Park. "This year's field is nine absolute killers, any of whom could walk away with the trophy."
Installed as the 2-1 morning line favourite in Northfield's most storied stakes event, Bythemissal will try to do something no one before him has done -- win three of MGM Northfield Park's signature races. He won the 2022 rendition of the $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial at three, the $100,000 Myron Charna President's Pace (for Ohio-breds) at four, and this year, hopes to add the Battle of Lake Erie to his resume.
Bythemissal battled sickness through the early stages of his four-year-old campaign in 2023, but trainer Ron Burke couldn't be more pleased with how his star rebounded.
"When he got sick, someone reminded me, you won't even remember this part of the year [his bout of sickness] when this is over; the year is long."
That advice couldn't have been more fitting as the son of Downbytheseaside ended the year with 11 victories and $1.03 million n purse money, earning him Dan Patch Older Male Pacer of the Year honours.
After qualifying twice at The Meadowlands, Bythemissal kicked off his season in the $136,986 Joe Auger Memorial Invitational at Harrah's Philadelphia, finishing fifth with Chris Page driving.
"He had a lot of ground to make up in the Auger. When he came three-wide off the turn, he had a lot left in the tank, so I was happy with him."
Bythemissal will make his second start off the layoff on Saturday night, and Burke feels that he will be ready for anything.
"He has been training very well and is ready for the Battle. We plan to be aggressive."
Leading local driver Aaron Merriman, who has won the U.S. dash title for seven straight years, will try to win his first Battle of Lake Erie aboard second-choice Linedrive Hanover.
"I want to win every race I'm in, home track or not, but this, this would be special," said Merriman. "Drawing the rail really puts me in a good position to control my own destiny."
Linedrive Hanover has had a stellar start to the season, hitting the board in six of his seven starts, with earnings of $162,957. The son of Carl Milstein Memorial winner Betting Line kicked off the year in the MGM Borgata Pacing Series, where he had a lot of luck before going a long mile in the $626,027 final.
His connections decided to give him some time off and ship him back to Canada, where he took the lead, got the perfect trip and made up ground through the stretch to finish a strong second in a Preferred on May 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
"The Borgata was tough on him, but when he came back in preparation for the Camluck Classic, boy, was he good," said trainer Anthony Beaton. "We were delighted with how he looked at Mohawk; it was an excellent mile from him.”
In the $150,000 Camluck Classic at The Raceway at Western Fair District, he once again got a tough trip from post six, but this time, the gelding bided his time and had plenty left in the tank late to finish a driving second.
"I think if we had post four or five, we would've been closer," said Beaton. "You couldn't have asked more of him in the Camluck Classic. The cover flow didn't carry us like we wanted, but he raced lights out."
Beaton admits that when he saw the draw, he instantly became happier.
"When my wife came in and showed me the draw, it was a big relief. This is a very deep field and he has been known to overcome a lot. We’re very excited."
Also competing in Saturday's event is Ohio-sired Charlie May, who 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 more than $2 million in earnings, will also be trying to become the first to win all three of Northfield's signature pacing events. He was second in the 2023 Battle of Lake Erie from post eight.
Rounding out this year's edition will be Borgata Pacing Series champion Hellabalou, $136,986 Wizard Invitational winner Carbine, Borgata runner-up Coaches Corner, 2021 Pepsi North American Cup champion and Horse of the Year Desperate Man, Little Rocket Man, who has reeled off two straight against Open company, and last year's Progress Pace winner Why Not Now.
Racing For Three Favoured In MGM Buckeye Distaff
The undercard for the $200,000 USD Battle of Lake Erie features some stacked racing as well, with a $100,000 USD division of Ohio Sires Stakes for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters, six $20,000 USD divisions of the Buckeye Stallion Series for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers and the $75,000 USD MGM Buckeye Distaff Invitational for top veteran Ohio-sired pacing mares.
Added to the undercard in 2022, the MGM Buckeye Distaff has become popular among horsepeople.
"This is one of the premier events on the calendar for Ohio-sired mares," said Bianconi. “The breeding program in Ohio continues to get better, and this gives owners an opportunity to score some big money in a state-restricted event."
Morning line favourite Racing For Three headlines the MGM Buckeye Distaff, having had a big season thus far for trainer AJ Carlo. She has hit the board in eight of 12 starts this year, winning five races, with earnings of $119,129. She enters Saturday off a third-place finish against Open company at Eldorado Scioto Downs.
Racing For Three will take on High Flyin Filly, Tarapasta, Fear Our Fayth, Soft Spot, Smothastenesewisky, Hey Hey Mama, Do It Like Bobbi and Hangon Cowgirl.
A great wagering menu will be on tap for horseplayers on Saturday night. The 11th race, Battle of Lake Erie, will have featured a $25,000 estimated $1 Pick-4, and Superfecta wagering will be added. The 13th race, the MGM Buckeye Distaff, will also feature a $25,000 estimated Super High-5 pool.
Northfield Park will kick racing off at 6 p.m. and feature Charity Night presented by the Ohio Harness Horseman's Association. Charity Night will feature nine different charities, each having the opportunity to race for a donation to their respective group.
The participating charities are Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, By the Dawn’s Early Light, Emergency Assistance Center, First Tee – Cleveland, Geauga County Library Foundation, Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, Kent State University Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center, LCADA Way, and Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry. These charities will find out which horse in Saturday's sixth race they will be cheering for during a live stream on the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association Facebook page on Thursday, June 6 at 1:30 p.m.
Each charity will receive a donation from the Ohio association for participating. The charity paired with the first-place finisher will receive $10,000 USD, second place will receive $5,000 USD and third place will receive $3,000 USD. All other finishers will receive $2,000 USD donations.
Lady Luck's Clubhouse will be open and will offer a buffet on Saturday for $27.95 USD. Reservations can be made by calling 330-467-4101.
(With files from Northfield Park & Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association)