The Carl Milstein Memorial, Northeast Ohio’s premier race, is scheduled for its second edition on Friday, August 14. The Grand Circuit event has attracted the best sophomore colt pacers in the sport of harness racing.
It has been confirmed by owner George Teague, Jr. that pacing superstar Wiggle It Jiggleit will enter this year’s edition. Wiggle It Jiggleit has won 15 of 16 career starts, earning nearly $1 million in the process. His most recent win was a 1:47.4 victory in the $706,000 Meadowlands Pace on July 18. Wiggle It Jiggleit will race once more before coming to the ‘Flying Turns’. He drew post two in the $319,400 Cane Pace at the Meadowlands on Saturday afternoon.
“We have had some great horses race at Northfield over the years, but we have never had a horse come with a resume even approaching that of Wiggle It Jiggleit’s,” said Dave Bianconi, Northfield Park Executive Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting.
Wiggle It Jiggleit’s only loss came in the $1,000,000 Pepsi North America Cup on June 20, when he finished second to Wakizashi Hanover. Joann Looney-King, the trainer of Wakizashi Hanover, has also pointed her horse to compete in the Milstein.
Eight-time winner Wakizashi Hanover has finished in the top three in 14 of 16 starts, earning nearly $750,000. His most recent effort was a third-place finish in the Meadowlands Pace. He prepped to take to the stage in Cleveland in a qualifier at Harrah’s Philadelphia on Tuesday (August 4), winning in 1:53.1.
Roland N Rock, who has won 18 of 21 starts, is expected to be in the entry box for the big event. The Iowa-bred was undefeated as a freshman in 14 starts and has won four of seven starts so far this year.
Trainer Brian Brown is expected to have a Milstein entry this year with Lost For Words. He just finished third in the $400,000 Adios Final at The Meadows on August 1. Lost For Words has won nine of 21 starts, including three consecutive victories in Pennsylvania Sires Stakes this year. He sports earnings of almost $400,000.
The race is named in honour of Carl Milstein, who owned and operated Northfield Park from 1984 until his death in 1999. His son, Brock Milstein, immediately took over as Chairman of Northfield Park and is now also the Chairman of Milstein Entertainment, LLC, majority owner of the Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park.
In 1972, the senior Milstein, a Cleveland builder and real estate developer, headed a group of several partners, including George Steinbrenner, which purchased Northfield Park. They leased the facility to other operators through the early 1980’s. The track lost significant amounts of money during that period before Milstein took full ownership and control. In late 1984 he successfully applied to the Ohio State Racing Commission for the necessary licenses and, beginning in January, 1985, conducted permanent race meetings at Northfield of between 212 and 238 days every year.
Milstein was the driving force behind a resurgence of the beleaguered track, which ascended to among harness racing’s top tracks in attendance and handle. He was an innovator in promotions and advertising and successfully led the track into the era of simulcast racing.
The Carl Milstein Memorial will be well supported with an undercard featuring multiple $40,000 divisions of the Ohio Sires Stakes for three year-old filly pacers and trotters, three $20,000 Opens and numerous contests and promotions trackside.
The Milstein crowd will enjoy food trucks on the outdoor apron from 6 to 10 p.m. and Northfield Park dice games and the Majic 105.7 prize wheel with Chip Kullik from 7 to 9 p.m. Classic Rock band Unknown Reason will be performing on the trackside apron from 6 to 10 p.m. ESPN Cleveland WKNR’s Bruce Hooley will be broadcasting live from 5 to 7 p.m.
Lady Luck’s Clubhouse Restaurant will be offering a $19.95 signature buffet, inspired by Hard Rock Rocksino Executive Chef Chris Poplin. Due to the expected large crowd reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 330-467-4101.
First race post time for the Carl Milstein Memorial card is 6:00 p.m.
(Northfield Park)