Foiled Again will make his unprecedented six start in Northfield Park's Battle of Lake Erie, and a win would place him in uncharted territory.
2013's Older Pacing Horse of the Year in both the U.S. and Canada, Foiled Again has drawn post 7 in Saturday’s (July 19) $150,000 Battle of Lake Erie and has been named the 3-1 slight morning-line favourite by Northfield Park Executive Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting, Dave Bianconi. If he is successful he'll become the first horse in Northfield Park history to win this event three times.
The 10 year-old son of Dragon Again (2000 Battle Champion) won in 2009 and 2011, joining Jaguar Spur (winner in 1988-89), Peruvian Hanover (winner in 2002-03) and Maltese Artist (winner in 2005 and 2007) as the only four horses to win the Battle of Lake Erie twice.
Age does not seem to be slowing Foiled Again. He has paced his last four races in under 1:50. Foiled Again is trained by Ron Burke and has garnered 80 career victories and sports earnings of $6,313,068. Those career earnings rank him as the richest pacer in the history of harness racing.
The 2014 Battle of Lake Erie field is as follows:
PP - Horse - Driver - Trainer - M/L
1. Night Pro - Peter Wrenn - Dale Decker - 4-1
2. Beach Memories - Josh Sutton - Brian Brown - 15-1
3. Bolt The Duer - Mark MacDonald - Peter Foley - 7-2
4. Clear Vision - Brett Miller - Ron Burke - 9-2
5. Fool Me Once - Aaron Merriman - Mark Austin - 6-1
6. Twilight Bonfire - Tony Hall - Rich Gillock - 12-1
7. Foiled Again - Yannick Gingras - Ron Burke - 3-1
8. Apprentice Hanover - Jody Jamieson - Benjamin Wallace - 10-1
Since its inception in 1986, the Battle of Lake Erie has drawn the best veteran pacers the sport has to offer. Past 'Battle' Champions include racing greats Falcon Seelster, Quite A Sensation, Jaguar Spur, Dorunrun Bluegrass, Cambest, Riyadh, Gallo Blue Chip and Maltese Artist.
This year’s Battle of Lake Erie program carries total purses of $554,500. The 15-race program boasts an impressive undercard featuring nine $40,000 divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes for two and three year-old colt pacers and trotters.
Superfecta wagering has been added to Saturday’s twelfth race, the Battle feature. First race post time is 6:00 p.m.
In addition to superior racing action, 'Battle' night will also offer guests a sumptuous buffet in Lady Luck’s clubhouse dining room. The special priced buffet is just $15.95. Reservations are preferred and can be made by calling 330-467-4101.
Guests who want to be down close to all of the racing action can stop by the grandstand apron to sample several of northeast Ohio’s most popular food trucks. Live music by Unknown Reason will be part of the apron scene from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.
(with files from Northfield)