by Keith Gisser, director of publicity, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Jugette champion Western Graduate headlines an outstanding field of nine 3-year-old filly pacers in Saturday’s $128,000 Courageous Lady at Northfield Park.

Western Graduate, who drew post five and will be driven by Yannick Gingras, is the 2-1 morning line race favorite, according to Director of Racing Gregg Keidel. He gave her a slight edge over 3-1 Michelle’s Power, who drew post eight.

Owned by Jeffrey Snyder, who won the 2000 Courageous Lady with Michelle’s Revenge, Michelle’s Power would become a millionaire with a win in the $128,000 event.

Western Graduate, one of two Mickey Burke-trainees in the race, is owned by Sylvia Burke, Thomas Cherichello, George Leon and Lawrence Karr. She has won seven races this year, including the Jugette at Delaware, Ohio. She attempts to follow in the footsteps of So Fresh (1992) and Towner’s Image (1993), who also pulled off the Jugette/Courageous Lady double.

Burke’s other entry, Go On BB, a winner of 17 of 19 seasonal starts, is the third choice at 7-2, leaving from post position two.

The Courageous Lady is the 12th race on the 14-race Northfield card that starts at 7:00 p.m. (EDT). The Courageous Lady will go to post just after 11:00 p.m. Below is the complete field.

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Owner-Morning line
1-Osborne’s Gypsy-Kurt Sugg-Eric Hamlet-Jerry Osborne-9-2
2-Go On BB-Dave Palone-Mickey Burke-Frank Baldachino-7-2
3-Prime Suspect-J Duke Sugg-Duke Sugg-I. & J. Sugg, Usual Suspects Stable-12-1
4-Arts A Flutter-Pete Wrenn-Bob McIntosh-McIntosh Stables, L. Beaudoin, D. Kryway-6-1
5-Western Graduate-Yannick Gingras-Mickey Burke-S. Burke, T. Cherichello, G. Leon, L. Karr-2-1
6-Liberty Skiberty-David Miller-Mike Medors-Emerald Highlands Farm-8-1
7-Dragon Flier K-Dick Stillings-Rich Gillock-Robert J. Key-15-1
8-Michelle’s Power-Jody Jamieson-William Elliott-Jeff Snyder-3-1
9-Desifinadia-Dave Palone-William Webb-Robert Mondillo-20-1