All Bets Off won Saturday’s $200,000 Battle of Lake at Northfield Park, making him only the second horse to win both a Carl Milstein Memorial and a Battle of Lake Erie, two of the track’s prestigious Grand Circuit events. Wiggle It Jiggleit accomplished the same feat.
All Bets Off (Bettor’s Delight – Armbro Penelope – Dexter Nukes) is owned by the partnership of Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Frank Baldachino and Panhellenic Stable. He is trained by Ron Burke. Matt Kakaley had the winning drive.
As the gate pulled away from the stellar Battle field, Luck Be Withyou and Aaron Merriman rushed to the front, setting wicked-fast fractions of :26, :52.4 and 1:20.3. “I figured the race would rock and roll early. I thought I should get away mid-pack and cross my fingers,” said Kakaley. “The trip worked out perfectly for us.”
All Bets Off started from post four and made a three-wide bid late in the third panel to make the front and best his competition by 2 ¼-lengths, stopping the clock at 1:49.2. The time represents a new track record for five and up pacing horses. The former 1:50.4 mark
was set in 2002 by Western Millennium and Walter Case, Jr.
“All Bets Off is a special horse to me and has really helped further my career to a place I’m not sure it would be without him,” offered Kakaley. “This win feels good.” Saturday’s win marks the 25 th score for All Bets Off in 86 career races and increases his bankroll to $2,372,503.
