by Ayers Ratliff, for Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Saturday’s Battle of Lake Erie rivals have a combined 192 victories. Northfield Park’s 11th race features a competitive field of the sport’s best open pacers and will reveal who earns the 193rd win.

All Bets Off drew post four and has been named the 5-2 slight morning line favorite by Northfield Park Executive Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting, Dave Bianconi. He attracts national driving star Matt Kakaley and is one of two entries in the field for harness racing’s leading trainer Ron Burke. All Bets Off makes his third local appearance. He won the inaugural $400,000 Carl Milstein Memorial in 2014 and was the runner-up (from post eight) in this event last year. He has career earnings of $2,272,503 and a 1:48.2 lifetime mark at Rosecroft’s five-eighths-mile oval.

Luck Be Withyou enters this event off two consecutive victories and drew post three. He has been given a 3-1 morning line. Saturday marks Luck Be Withyou’s fourth start over the Flying Turns. He dead-heated for second in 2014 in the $400,000 Milstein and has been eighth and fourth in his two Battle attempts. Luck Be Withyou has a career bankroll of $1,339,741 and won the $500,000 Breeders Crown in 2013 and the $500,000 Ben Franklin in 2015.

Guantanamo Bay drew the rail and is the 9-2 third choice. He and his driver, Vincent Ginsburg, both make their Northfield debuts. Guantanamo Bay has four wins this season and 14 career scores. He paced a lifetime best of 1:51.2 (Meadows five-eighths) last year and has earned $278,538.

Since its inception in 1986, the Battle of Lake Erie has drawn the sport’s best veteran pacers. Past Battle champions include racing greats Falcon Seelster, Quite A Sensation, Jaguar Spur, Dorunrun Bluegrass, Cambest, Gallo Blue Chip, Maltese Artist and Foiled Again.

This will be the first year since 2009 that Foiled Again will not compete in this race. However, he is not ready to completely pass the torch and will be leading the post parade after competing in the $20,000 Open Pace on the undercard. Later in the evening he will greet fans from a special stall set up on the grandstand apron. Harness racing’s richest horse, with $7,521,128 in earnings and 94 victories, loves people and is accustomed to fans who like to take selfies with him.

The 2017 $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie field:

Horse-Driver-Trainer-M/L
1-Guantanamo Bay-Vincent Ginsburg-Daniel Renaud-9-2
2-Soto-Art Stafford Jr.-Eric Ell-6-1
3-Luck Be Withyou-Aaron Merriman-Chris Oakes-3-1
4-All Bets Off-Matt Kakaley-Ron Burke-5-2
5-Mr Wiggle Pants-Aaron Merriman-Scott McEneny-5-1
6-Night Pro-Ronnie Wrenn Jr.-Dale Decker-12-1
7-Rockin Ron-Aaron Merriman-Ron Burke-8-1
8-Sunfire Blue Chip-Mark MacDonald-Jimmy Takter-10-1

*Final driver selections are due by 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

Superfecta wagering has been added to the 11th race, the Battle feature. First race post time is 6 p.m.

In addition to superior racing action, Battle night will also offer guests a sumptuous buffet in Lady Luck’s clubhouse dining room from 6-9 p.m. The buffet is $19.95. Reservations are preferred and can be made by calling 330.467.4101.

Guests who want to be down close to all of the racing action can stop by the grandstand apron to visit Smash Time food truck and Crooked Kettle Popcorn. Live music by The Caliber Band will be part of the apron scene from 6-10 p.m. Scan and win with WGAR’s Brian Fowler from 6-8 p.m. and play corn hole toss for prizes from 7-8 p.m.

Battle night attendees will receive a bonus entry for the 60th Anniversary Car Giveaway making them eligible to win a 2017 Buick Cascada or a 2017 Honda CR-V. One lucky winner will be drawn randomly on Carl Milstein Memorial Night on Aug. 12. Every summer has a story…start yours at Northfield Park!