by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — The $162,200 Jay Auto Group Cleveland Classic, one of Northfield Park’s premier races, is scheduled for Saturday night (Dec. 10).

This is the last national stakes event of the year for 3-year-old pacers. The Cleveland Classic always draws an impressive slate of equine athletes as well as North America’s top drivers, and this year is no exception.

Westwardho Hanover, whose owners are paying a $15,000 supplemental fee to enter, is the even money morning line favorite and starts from post five. He is owned by the Westward Ho Stable and has a career bankroll of $501,248 and a lifetime mark of 1:49.1.

In his most recent start, Westwardho Hanover was second in the $221,465 Matron final at Dover Downs. This son of Dragon Again entered the Matron off of a win in the $330,000 Progress Pace, also at Dover.

Dave Palone is his regular driver and trainer Ron Burke has again called on Palone to steer him. Palone will be looking for his fifth Classic victory. He is currently tied with John Campbell and Walter Case, Jr., who each have won this race four times.

Mystic Desire, the 4-1 morning line second choice, has drawn post nine. Mystic Desire, a son of Real Desire, has lifetime earnings of $607,924 with a career mark of 1:50. The Ross Croghan trainee just finished second in the $175,000 Windy City at Maywood Park. He has 12 lifetime wins for the partnership of Let It Ride Stables, Robert Cooper Stables, Jerry Silva and Dana Parham.

The $162,200 Jay Auto Group Cleveland Classic
Post-Horse-Trainer-Driver-M/L
1. Southwind Milo-Ron Burke-Ryan Stahl-5-1
2. Best Man Hanover-Perry Smith-Dan Noble-10-1
3. Mach Of Ballykeel-Richard Moreau-TBA-20-1
4. Upfront Ellijay Ed-Jim Arledge, Jr.-Dan Noble-25-1
5. Westwardho Hanover-Ron Burke-Dave Palone-1-1
6. Camgrandest-Patrick Curtain-Eric Carlson-12-1
7. Something For Doc-Brian Brown-Tony Hall-6-1
8. Audry’s Dream-Ben Wallace-Jody Jamieson-8-1
9. Mystic Desire-Ross Croghan-Peter Wrenn-4-1
10. Onhishonor Hanover-Perry Smith-Dan Noble-15-1