Northeast Ohio’s premier trotting race, the Cleveland Trotting Classic, will go to post Saturday (July 2) at Northfield Park. This will be the second edition of the Classic and it carries a purse of $180,000.
The Grand Circuit event has attracted some of the best veteran trotters in North America. It has been slated as the 11th event on a 15-race program. First race post time is 6 p.m.
1-Obrigado, runner-up in this event last year, draws the rail for his return. He has been victorious in 37 of 68 career races, including a 21 race win streak earlier in his career. He has lifetime earnings of $1,019,749 and a 1:51.3 (M 1) mark taken last year. Although entering this event off a third place finish in the $200,000 Cutler Memorial, Obrigado has three wins in six races this year. Those wins include the $200,000 Maxie Lee at Harrah’s Philadelphia and the $210,000 Charlie Hill Memorial at Scioto Downs. The six year-old is owned by Paul Kelley Racing Stable, SRF Stable, Linwood Higgins and Stable 45. He is conditioned by Paul Kelley. Canadian native Mark MacDonald has been named to steer.
2-Homicide Hunter was sired my Mr Cantab and is owned by Michelle Crawford and Albert Crawford. With 20 career victories, he has been a model of consistency, finishing in the top three 29 of his 33 lifetime starts. He enters the Classic in very good form, just equaling his 1:51.4 lifetime mark in a $54,000 stake race on June 18 at The Meadows. That victory bolstered his career bankroll to $609,513. Christopher Oakes trains the four year-old gelding. Dave Palone, winner of more races than any driver in harness racing history, has been named to drive this 4-1 morning-line competitor.
3-Shake It Cerry has been named the 2-1 morning-line favorite. She is the richest in this year’s field, sporting career earnings of $2,547,962. She has 50 lifetime starts and 28 career victories, including the $500,000 Breeders Crown in 2014. She is a five year-old daughter of Donato Hanover with a lifetime mark of 1:51.2 (Lex 1). Shake It Cerry is trained by Jimmy Takter and owned by Solveig’s Racing Partners. Ronnie Wrenn Jr, Northfield Park’s leading driver, has been given the driving assignment.
4-Il Songno Dream is one of two starters in this race from the powerful Christopher Beaver Stable. He has won 17, and been on the board in 32 of 54 career races. He has two runner-up finishes this year in three efforts. This five year-old son of Cantab Hall has career earnings of $803,077. His 1:50.2 (Lex 1) lifetime mark is the fastest in this race. Canadian Trevor Henry comes to drive this 10-1 morning line selection.
5-Muscle Up The Goal enters this race for owner Synerco Ventures, Inc. He is the second entrant in this field for trainer Christopher Beaver. 2015 Dash Driving Champion Aaron Merriman has been given the driving assignment for tonight’s outing. The four year-old has already won three times in five tries this year and has won eight of 24 starts lifetime. He earned his 1:52 mark at The Meadows this year in a $20,000 Preferred event. In May of this year, Muscle Up The Goal broke the Northfield Park trotting record and a world record for four year-old trotting horses in 1:52.3. This son of Muscle Mass has lifetime earnings of $257,896. He carries an 8-1 morning line.
6-Maestro Blue Chip is owned by Richard Poillucci and trained by Jo Ann Looney-King. The four year-old enters this race off a 1:53.4 win on June 12 in the $75,000 Graduate at Tioga Downs. He has a total of 25 career starts with 13 triumphs, but has blossomed this year, winning 11 of 12 outings. He earned a 1:51.3 (M 1) lifetime mark just three races ago and has career earnings of $270,173. Victor Kirby has been named to drive this 6-1 morning-line starter.
7-Like Old Times was the 2015 Ohio Horse of the Year. She enters this race off two consecutive local victories, including a 1:55 track record performance and lifetime mark. This daughter of Chip Chip Hooray is owned by Keith Ross and trained on the Flying Turns by Northfield Park Wall of Famer and Ohio Trotmaster Don McKirgan. Like Old Times has 17 victories in 34 starts and has $343,350 in earnings. Ryan Stahl has been named to drive this 25-1 longshot.
8-Boffin, 25-1, enters off a runner-up finish in a $25,000 Open event at Scioto Downs. He has a 1:51.1 (PcD 5/8) lifetime mark and career earnings of $340,127. This son of Donato Hanover has won 28 of 85 career starts. Anette Lorentzon trains Boffin for owners ACL Stuteri AB, Kjell Johansson and Karin Lorentzon. Jason Merriman has been given the driving assignment.
This year’s Classic program undercard is highlighted by three $20,000 Open events. One features Foiled Again, the richest horse in the history of harness racing and a three-time Battle of Lake Erie winner. The Opens and the Trotting Classic comprise the evening’s Pick-4, which carries a $10,000 guaranteed pool.
In addition to superior racing action, the night will also offer guests a buffet in Lady Luck’s clubhouse dining room. The buffet is just $19.95. Reservations are preferred and can be made by calling 330.467.4101.
Guests who want to be close to all of the racing action can stop by the grandstand apron for an array of free fanfare activities. These attractions include a free Northfield Park ball cap for the first 1,500 patrons, a t-shirt toss from the winner’s circle by the successful driver of each race, country band Six String Cowboy performing on the apron from 6-10 p.m., spinning of the Northfield Park Prize Wheel for free cash and prizes from 8-9 p.m., and some of Northeast Ohio’s favorite food trucks on the grandstand apron from 6-10 p.m.
