by Keith Gisser, director of publicity, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Pacer Home Bed Advantage was previously confirmed for Saturday’s $175,000 Heineken Premium Light Cleveland Classic, and although the entry box doesn’t close until Wednesday at 9:00 a.m., we know a few other top 3-year-olds who will be at the Flying Turns for the richest race of the season.

Takeshigemichi, who choked (lost his air) in the $1 million Art Rooney Final at Yonkers, is a Classic go, as is Mister Delaware, who is owned by Mr. Delaware himself, Tommy Thomson, the driving force behind the Little Brown Jug. Billy Walters trains the son of Our Miss Delaware for Thomson and his partner, H. Jay Scott.

Previously confirmed K F St Patrick, 2-year-old Pacer of the Year in the Buckeye State last year, was scratched sick from the $100,000 North America Cup Consolation in Ontario, but trainer Mike Medors said he seemed okay afterwards. Medors will train the colt tomorrow and if all goes well, he will head to the Classic, too.

Some Of Them Raced: Probable Classic starter Up Front Barry, owned by retired Amherst, Ohio auto dealer Ed Mullinax, rocketed to a new lifetime best Saturday. He posted a 1:51.4 win at The Meadowlands, winning a $19,000 overnight event, going gate-to-wire in line to Mike Lachance. The son of 2000 Battle of Lake Erie champ Dragon Again has won six of nine career starts and has never been worse than third.

Free-legged pacer Gordie How made an uncharacteristic break in his start Saturday at the Meadows, but is still expected to race in the Heineken event, as trainer Kurt Sugg told us a few weeks back.

Many of the top Heineken Cleveland Classic probables, including Won The West, Big Al’s Delight, Hot Rod Mindale and Whistling Hanover, had the week off.

Short Takes: We’ re not ribbing you when we tell you the price of a full-slab rib dinner in our barbecue pavilion has been reduced. Now, for just $18.50, you get a full slab of ribs, two sides and fries! Half-slab dinners remain $11.75 and quarter-slab meals, with just one side, are $7.75…This Friday is another free stuff Friday, as your humble scribe will give away free tickets to the Funny Stop Comedy Club from the winner’s circle… Entries continue to come in fast and furious for the Pontiac Solstice Northfield gives away on Saturday, July 7. Patrons can enter once a day and must be present on July 7 in order to win… BetHarness.com account holders are reminded that wagering on Hollywood Park is currently available only for residents of certain states and Ohio is not among them. For more information, call BetHarness customer service at (866) 891-5100. We apologize for this inconvenience.