by Keith Gisser, publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — The field is set for the Saturday, June 27, $100,000 Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park.

The eight Battle invitees are Biletnikoff, Blueridge Western, Dragon Island, Foiled Again, Jeremy’s Successor, Just Plug It In, Oliver Cleo, and Royalton Star.

Max Shaw’s Royalton Star earned a spot in the Battle after finishing fifth in Saturday’s $200,000 Dan Patch at Hoosier Park. He is the only Battle horse with a win over the Flying Turns in 2009, although Blueridge Western took a split of the Cleveland Classic, the track’s top 3-year-old stake, in 2008.

Dragon Island is a son of the great Three Mile Island, by 2000 Battle champ Dragon Again, while Just Plug It In’s dam, Electrical Express, was second in the 1995 Courageous Lady for 3-year-old fillies here. The Canadian-based speedster won his last start in 1:51.3 at Georgian Downs in Innisfil, Ontario.

The rapidly improving Oliver Cleo is owned and trained by Peter Kleinhans. Jeremy’s Successor recently ventured east after dominating in Chicago.

The group has combined for 126 wins and an average record of 1:49.4.

The Battle of Lake Erie night features a mystery voucher giveaway, and this time the grand prize is a 2009 Chevy Malibu. Nine vouchers will designate finalists into the race for the car. Each finalist will draw a pool ball with a number, corresponding to a horse in the designated race. If their number (horse) wins, they will win the car. A consolation prize of $100 will go to each of the other finalists. Vouchers must be cashed by 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, to qualify.