by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — The 2014 Cleveland Classic, scheduled for this Friday (Dec. 12), has been canceled due to a lack of entries.

Only five sophomore pacers entered for the $150,000 guaranteed purse. Their ownerships will each receive a check in excess of $17,000 for entering.

“The Cleveland Classic has hosted some memorable races and has been won by numerous great horses,” said Dave Bianconi, Northfield Park Executive Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting. “We had 38 nominees for the event, but many of them were turned out for the season for one reason or another. It is an anomaly, but things just did not come together this year to continue with the race’s rich tradition.”

Racing greats such as Bolt The Duer, Gallo Blue Chip, Life Sign, Precious Bunny, Western Dreamer and Won The West have all been crowned Cleveland Classic champions. Since its inception in 1990, the race has featured two Horse of the Year honorees, four divisional champions, four Little Brown Jug winners and a Triple Crown winner.

The Cleveland Classic will be replaced next year with an event for North America’s best veteran trotters. The new Cleveland Trotting Classic carries an estimated purse of $200,000 and will be contested on Friday (July 3).

The Cleveland Trotting Classic will join the $500,000 (est.) Carl Milstein Memorial for 3-year-old colt pacers, the $200,000 (est.) Battle of Lake Erie for veteran open pacers, and the $125,000 (est.) Courageous Lady for 3-year-old filly pacers as Northfield Park’s marquee events.