by Keith Gisser, publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Foiled Again, a winner of seven of his last ten starts and $331,344 in purses in 2009, has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite in the 24th annual $100,000 Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield Park on Saturday night, June 27.

Owned by the Pennsylvania partnership of Weaver Bruscemi Llc, Burke Racing and JJK Stables, Foiled Again drew the rail in the powerful field of eight veteran pacers. The 5-year-old gelding has earned more than $728,000 in his career and is trained by Ron Burke. Matt Kakaley, 21, will drive. Kakaley is attempting to become the youngest driver ever to reach 1,000 wins and currently stands just ten tallies short of that milestone.

Jeremy’s Successor is the second choice at 7-2 after drawing post two for owner Andrea Ann Hill of California and trainer Dean Eckley. They will call on Tyler Buter to drive. Jeremy’s Successor defeated Foiled Again two weeks ago in a Preferred Pace at The Meadowlands in New Jersey.

Third choice Blueridge Western, who won an $88,760 division of the Cleveland Classic at Northfield last year, will try to become just the fourth horse to win the Classic and the Battle. Posted at 4-1, he is owned by Francis Azur of Pennsylvania, trained by Kevin McDermott and will be driven by Tony Hall.

The $100,000 Battle of Lake Erie is scheduled as the 12th race on the 15-race card at Northfield. First race post time is 7 p.m. (EDT), with the Battle scheduled for 10:50 p.m. The Battle of Lake Erie undercard features Ohio Sires Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings, both trotters and pacers. Total purses for the evening are nearly $250,000.

Here is the field for the $100,000 Battle of Lake Erie.

Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Morning Line Odds
1-Foiled Again-Matt Kakaley-Ron Burke-2-1
2-Jeremy’s Successor-Tyler Buter-Dean Eckley-7-2
3-Blueridge Western-Mike Wilder-Kevin McDermott-4-1
4-Oliver Cleo-TBA-Peter Kleinhans-8-1
5-Dragon Island-Tony Hall-Mark Kesmodel-6-1
6-Roxies Big Guy-Elliott Deaton-Mark Deaton-15-1
7-Royalton Star-Andy Shetler-Max Shaw-12-1
8-Biletnikoff-Aaron Merriman-Paul Kennedy-10-1