by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — A Rocknroll Dance broke the world record for 4-year-old horses on a half-mile track, posting a 1:49.1 win on Saturday (July 20). The four length victory came in the 28th edition of Northfield Park’s $120,500 Battle of Lake Erie.

JJ Zamaiko photo

A Rocknroll Dance set a world record in winning the Battle of Lake Erie.

A Rocknroll Dance (Rocknroll Hanover-Wichita Hanover) is owned by A Rocknroll Dance Stable and trained by Jim Mulinix.

Mulinix called upon Kayne Kauffman to drive.

“I told Kayne, ‘we’ve come here to race, so let’s race,’” said Mulinix.

A Rocknroll Dance started from post five and left alertly, finding the perfect trip behind dueling pacers Aracache Hanover and State Treasurer. He sat the pocket through torrid fractions of :26.1, :53 and 1:21.

“At the five-eighths, I was just hoping to get out,” said Kauffman.

A Rocknroll Dance found the room to pull and drew away in the stretch, posting the final word record time of 1:49.1. The win pushes A Rocknroll Dance’s lifetime earnings to $2,021,154.

Following A Rocknroll Dance were Rockin Finish, Clear Vision, Aracache Hanover, Thinking Out Loud, Foiled Again, Versado and State Treasurer.

Freshman Ohio Sires Stakes highlight undercard

Northfield Park hosted three divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes racing action on the Battle of Lake Erie program. Three-year-old colt trotters competed in two divisions and colt pacers in one.

On the trotting side of things, Final Breath was a 4-1/2 length winner in the $30,000 first division. It was Final Breath’s 11th triumph in 17 lifetime starts. Hugh Beatty trains and piloted the gelding for owner Duane Lowe.

Final Breath (Victory Sam-First Breath) started from post two and was sitting third through an initial quarter of :29.3. Beatty tipped the trotter approaching the :59.1 half. He took the lead in the third quarter and posted final fractions of 1:28.2 and 1:58.3. Saturday’s win increased Final Breath’s bankroll to $88,197.

Finishing behind Final Breath were Annie’s Rocketman, Chet N Spanky, Howdhedothat and Happy Go Manny. Final Breath was the overwhelming favorite, returning $2.10 to win.

Heza Rube took the $30,000 second division for 3-year-old colt and gelding Ohio-breds for Northfield Park Wall of Fame trainer Marty Wollam.

Heza Rube (Master Lavec-Rubicella) started from post four. He fired off the gate and never looked back, posting fractions of :28.4, :59.1, 1:28.2 and 1:57.4. He never experienced an anxious moment and won by 2-1/4 lengths. Kurt Sugg drove for owner Bob Troyer. It was the 15th career start and seventh win for the youngster, who now has earnings of $100,399.

Completing the race were Buzzin Troubador, Trottin On Over, Masterdream Chaser, Neely Spring and Flash Cash. Heza Rube was the punter’s choice, paying $2.40 to win.

That Friske Feelin (Feelin Friskie-Marquee Event) was impressive in winning the $35,000 OSS for sophomore colt and gelding pacers. Tony Hall drove the gelding for trainer Ron Burke and owners Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold and Richard Lombardo.

That Friske Feelin left the gate alertly from post three and never looked back. He posted fractions of :27.3, :56.2, 1:24.4 and 1:52.2. The clocking was a new lifetime mark for the That Friske Feelin and increased his career bankroll to $92,383. The win marked his seventh in 14 starts.

Finishing in succession after the winner were Sassy Osborne, Phantom Flasher, Feelin Lika Winner, Forever Kissed, CC Big Boy Sam, Hanky L, Retrieve Forever, River Valley Pearl and Firetowers Stand. That Friske Feelin returned $3.40 to win.