by Keith Gisser, director of publicity, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — June 23rd — the date of the $175,000 Heineken Premium Light Cleveland Classic — is less than a month away and several top contenders raced well over the weekend, although none found the winner’s circle.

Takeshigemichi was second in his $40,000 Art Rooney elimination at Yonkers Saturday, while Home Bed Advantage and Mattdultery finished third in their heats. All three qualified for the $1 million Rooney Final.

At the Meadows, near Pittsburgh, Up Front Barry, owned by Ed Mullinax, was third in a $19,866 Pennsylvania Sires Stake, while a tough trip did in Joe Sbrocco, Frank Dettore and William Donovan’s Mattdultery. He made a bold-first over move in his Pennsylvania Sires Stake, but tired late in the mile to finish fifth.

And How: A newcomer on the Heineken Premium Light Cleveland Classic horizon is Gordie How, a horse who may truly be one in a million. The son of Gramma Gordie, a former Northfield regular, was sired by Stand Forever.

He races free-legged (without hopples) and without an overcheck to keep his head up. Estimates are that one of about every 200 pacers races without hopples, while he is just the second horse that your humble scribe has seen who races without an overcheck, which helps keep a horse balanced as he races. Having seen at least 5,000 horses race over the years, well, you do the math.

Trainer/driver Kurt Sugg confirmed his Classic plans with Director of Racing Gregg Keidel after the colt, owned by Dean Davis, posted an eye-popping 15 length, 1:53 win in a late closer at Scioto Downs on Friday night.

Tent-acles: Northfield’s Barbecue Tent Pavilion, under the direction of new Food and Beverage Manager Joe Myers, is open for the season.

A no-smoking area by Ohio law, the barbecue features St. Louis Style Ribs in quarter, half and full-slab dinners that include two side orders (choice of coleslaw, macaroni salad, potato salad or baked beans) and French fries.

The stand, which is open at 6:00 p.m.every live race night (weather permitting) also offers pulled pork, beef brisket and barbecue chicken sandwiches, along with a full array of beverages.

Myers, who has an extensive background in both restaurant and concession services, began his new position on May 23. Roseann Ward continues as Clubhouse Supervisor.

This and that: June 1 is a free stuff Friday at Northfield. Your humble scribe will be giving away free stuff. Can’t say what it is, but patrons should find it pretty funny. Simply stop by the winner’s circle after any of the night’s handicapping selections to get free stuff from The Giss.

There has been lots of talk about Instant Racing lately. If you want to see what the noise is about, check out www.instantracing.com.

Jack Topalian of Bedford won dinner for two in the clubhouse restaurant in Friday’s monthly Ohio Lottery Winner’s Circle drawing. To enter, simply deposit non-winning instant tickets valued at $2 or more into the entry boxes located throughout the facility.