by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — Foiled Again, the richest pacer in the history of harness racing, is expected to headline the field for the $100,000-plus 28th annual Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park on Saturday night (July 20).

Already a two-time Battle champion, Foiled Again would be the first horse in history to win Northfield’s most prestigious event three times.

The connections of Foiled Again, a 9-year-old gelded son of 2000 Battle champion Dragon Again, are planning on starting the veteran campaigner for a record fifth time in the Battle. He won the race in 2009 and 2011, finished third in 2010, and second last year. Trainer Ron Burke confirmed to Northfield’s Executive Vice President of Racing & Simulcasting Dave Bianconi that the $5,170,444 career earner would be headed to Ohio if all went well with the horse between now and July 20.

Owned by the Burke Racing Stable, Mark Weaver, Mike Bruscemi and JJK Stables, Foiled Again surpassed the $5 million mark in career earnings with a 1:49.2 triumph in the $500,000 Ben Franklin at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs on June 29. He trails only retired trotters Varenne ($5.63 million) and Moni Maker ($5.58 million) on harness racing’s all-time earnings list.

Among the 25 other eligible pacers that may challenge Foiled Again in the Battle are Pet Rock (second by a nose to Foiled Again in the Ben Franklin); 2012 Cleveland Classic winner Bolt The Duer; 2012 Little Brown Jug champion Michael’s Power; 2012 Meadowlands Pace winner A Rocknroll Dance; 2012 North America Cup champion Thinking Out Loud; defending Battle of Lake Erie champion Classic Rock Nroll; and career millionaires Aracache Hanover and Razzle Dazzle.

The top eight money-earners in 2012–2013 that enter the race on Wednesday morning (July 17), will comprise the field for the Battle of Lake Erie. The purse is at least $100,000 guaranteed, but may increase based upon the number of entrants. Post time is 6:30 p.m. for the Battle night card on July 20, which will also include multiple divisions of the Ohio Sires Stakes for 3-year-old colt pacers and trotters.