by Keith Gisser, assistant publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — The only thing that kept Saturday’s Battle of Lake Erie card at Northfield Park from being the track’s fastest ever was the three trotting races that were held. With 11 paces on the 14-race card, the slowest mile of the night for the sidewheelers was 1:55.4.

The co-featured $12,000 George Verban Memorial, named for the late Elyria Chronicle racing writer, was won by Matt Hershey and Greg Grismore in 1:52 for owner D. Lloyd Matheson and trainer Mickey Burke.

The Open 1 Pace was won in 1:52.3 by Precious Revenge and Yannick Gingras. Yet another Burke-trainee, he is owned by Sylvia Burke and Weaver Bruscemi Llc.

The 1:52.3 clocking was equaled by Gingras and Monte Carlo in a conditioned event early on the card.

The most impressive effort, other than Maltese Artist’s Battle of Lake Erie world record, came from Bill Sanders’ Sand Calady in the $9,000 Mares Open Handicap. Languishing at the back for five-eighths of a mile, the 4-year-old On The Attack mare exploded up the backstretch, clearing just after the three-quarters to win in 1:54.1 for driver Brett Miller and trainer Tye Loy.