by Keith Gisser, director of publicity, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Northfield’s 50th Anniversary celebration will kick off with a fifty-cent Customer Appreciation Night on Monday, August 20, with the track offering fifty-cent live and simulcast programs, as well as half-buck hot dogs, sodas and other concession items.

The festivities continue Wednesday, August 22, with a chance to meet members of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Friday, August 24, the Ohio Lottery gets in on the action, presenting Access To Fun night. Patrons have a chance to spin the lottery prize wheel to win all kinds of great gear. Odds are you’ll have fun. Saturday, August 25, the track awards one lucky patron a Pontiac G6 convertible (details below). There will be a massive fireworks celebration after the races on the 25th, as well.

Crawford-able: It was a big weekend for trainer Ray Crawford, even though his open pacing mare, Dynastar, saw her five-race win streak end. Breeder Erica DeLong owns the 5-year-old daughter of Bareback Writer, who is within shouting distance of the $100K lifetime earnings level.

Crawford won two Sweepstakes events on Saturday’s Summit County fair card. Choklit Chip Chip, a 3-year-old filly, trotted to her fifth win in 12 starts with a 1:59 effort in her $7,106 heat, while Master Of Victory scored in the nightcap, a $10,156 2-year-old colt trot. The trainer shares title on the two winners with Suanne Crawford Kochilla.

Crawford, who got into the business in the late seventies, has established himself as a solid horseman through his work with the youngsters, most notably Town Gazelle, who earned nearly a quarter of a million dollars for owner Bernice Molnar. The newest member of the Crawford stable is trotting mare Acadia Sis, who was claimed by Ryan Oskar on Friday.

At The Summit: As mentioned, Northfield hosted the Summit County Fair Sweepstakes events Saturday, and 3-year-old pacing colt KF St Patrick turned in the most impressive performance of the night with his 1:52.1 win for driver Russ Swartz, trainer/co-owner Mike Medors and co-owner Hank Kaufman. The son of Nobleland Sam won for the 14th time in 18 career starts.

Ryan Stahl posted four driving wins, including both Ray Crawford-trainees detailed above.

In the first race, a Billings amateur event, Michael Caston steered No Mon No Fun to a 2:01.3 victory, with Billings veterans Gene Miller and George Bonomo completing the trifecta, aboard Crafty Sailor and Spit Happens, to establish a track record. All three drivers are in their sixties, with a combined age of 194. You’re not getting older, gentlemen, you are getting better.

Don’t Forget: Saturday, August 4, Northfield simulcasts the complete Hambletonian card from the Meadowlands, which starts at 11:30 a.m. Players Club members will receive double points on the Hambletonian card. If you can’t make it to the track, log on to www.ustrotting.com, where your humble scribe will be part of the blog team covering the $1.5 million race…The entry box is open for a chance to enter the 50th Anniversary Drawing for a Pontiac G6 convertible. Patrons may enter once a day for the 30 days leading up to the prize drawing, which will be held on Saturday, August 25, the culmination of the track’s Anniversary celebration…Northfield Park’s Players Club issues its summer rewards on August 2. Patrons with at least 2,000 points will receive a voucher reflecting their wagering activity, as well as coupons for free live and simulcast programs and private television carrels. All Players Club members receive a 10% discount in the Northfield Park gift shop and a 5% discount in the clubhouse restaurant. Elite Players Club members save 10% on their dining bill.