by Keith Gisser, assistant publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Ataboyart won his second straight $10,000 Northfield Invitational on Saturday (March 17) with an impressive three-wide move at the three-quarters to post a 4-1/2 length, 1:54.4 win, which easily could have been faster if necessary.

Ray Fisher, Jr. steered the son of Northfield Wall of Famer Le Mitsral (by Artsplace) to his third seasonal victory in seven starts for trainer Jeff Miller. Miller’s Jeff Miller Stables owns the 5-year-old gelding in partnership with Dorothy Miller, and with the win, he is the current front-runner for a local invitation to the $125,000 Battle of Lake Erie on April 21.

The $8,000 Open Handicap went to Mackie Boy and Brett Miller, also in 1:54.4, for trainer Sean Gilbraith and owner Virginia Landfair. Mackie Boy is now seven of eight on the year.

Miller and Ryan Stahl, who is approaching 1,000 career wins, led the way Saturday with four wins, while Fisher tripled.