NORTHFIELD PARK TO HOST FIRST AND LAST
NATIONALLY OPEN STAKES RACES FOR THREE YEAR-OLDS
April begins a full slate of stakes action at Northfield Park. The $90,000 (est.) Courageous Lady will go to post on Saturday, April 28. This race is a nationally open stakes event for North America’s top three year-old filly pacers and is the first national stakes race in 2012.
Among
the 22 fillies nominated to the Courageous Lady are last year’s two year-old
stand-outs: Class Of O Nine (1:55 H, $237,150), Destiny’s Chance (1:52 M,
$287,098), Frontierpan (1:53.3 F, $136,938) and Podges Lady (1:52.1 F,
$214,728).
The
$140,000 (est.) Cleveland Classic is the final open stakes event this year.
North America’s top three year-old pacing colts will take the stage to compete
for this year’s Classic crown on Saturday, December 8.
There
are 38 colts nominated to the Cleveland Classic, including last year’s
stand-outs: A Rocknroll Dance (1:49.1 S, $863,325), Bolt The Duer (1:51 M,
$214,058), Caviart Key (1:53.1 M, 191,073), I Found My Beach (1:53.4 H,
$197,577), Star Recruit (1:53.1 F, $222,309) and Sweet Lou (1:49 S, $686,647).
In
other racing news at Northfield Park, the $100,000 (est.) Battle Of Lake Erie
is set for Saturday, July 21 and has 28 nominees that have combined career
earnings in excess of $20,000,000. The
nominated list includes defending champion Foiled Again (1:48.1 S, $3,431,055),
and millionaire performers Aracache Hanover (149.1 F, $1,058,993), Atochia
(1:49 S, $1,376,652) and Won the West (1:47 M, $3,928,036).
Northfield Park’s Stakes for 2012
Saturday, April 28 – Courageous Lady
Tuesday, July 3 – Ohio Sires Stakes (two year-old filly pace and trot)
Saturday,
July 21 – Battle Of Lake Erie and Ohio Sires Stakes (two year-old
colt pace and trot)
Saturday,
July 28 – Summit County Fair Stakes
Friday,
August 17 – Ohio Sires Stakes (three year-old filly pace and trot)
Saturday,
August 18 – Ohio Sires Stakes (three year-old colt pace and trot)
Friday,
August 31 – Ohio Sires Stakes (two year-old filly pace and trot)
Saturday,
September 1 – Ohio Sires Stakes (two year-old colt pace and trot)
Saturday,
December 8 – Cleveland Classic
Triple Crown Countdown
Northfield
Park will once again offer all the Triple Crown races kicking off with the 138th
running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 5. Doors open early at 9:30
am with the first post at Churchill Downs set for 10:30 am. Plus, we’ll have
simulcasting action from over 40 other tracks around the world. Triple Crown
action continues with the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 19 and the Belmont
Stakes on Saturday, June 9.
Harness Ramblings
Northfield
Park Players Club members will receive their spring rewards mailing the week of
April 16 with points accumulated through Sunday, April 15…The free-to-enter
$900 weekly handicapping contest continues every Sunday through June. The top
four finishers every Sunday automatically qualify for the $5,000 Final on
Sunday, July 1…The United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering
Initiative continues every Monday and Tuesday at Northfield Park with the
Guaranteed $15,000 Pick 4 pool. Plus, don’t forget the low 14% takeout rate on
all Northfield Park Pick 3’s, the Pick 4 and the Pick 5, the best wagering
bargains in all of harness racing.
