To watch a race replay of Lochinvar Art A’s victory, click here.

Northfield, OH — Many storylines were in play leading to Saturday’s (June 10) Battle of Lake Erie. The most significant storyline of the week happened to be Lauren Tritton, as she would try to become not only the first female to participate in Northfield’s storied event but the first to win it. Tritton proved naysayers of her talent wrong with a heart-stopping performance, scoring an impressive win with Lochinvar Art A.

Lochinvar Art A drew off to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:50. Casalinova photo.

The race was immediately turned on its head with Backstreet Shadow (Matt Kakaley) making a break before the start. As the gate opened, Ruthless Hanover (George Napolitano Jr.) left alertly down the center of the racetrack with Leonidas A (Austin Siegelman) and Little Rocket Man (John De Long) trying to defend inside position. Still, as they entered the first turn, Ruthless Hanover got rough momentarily, made a break, and was taken out of contention.

With the race’s complexion changing, Leonidas A inherited the lead with This Is The Plan (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) avoiding trouble in second. Getting to the quarter in :26.4, Siegelman would try to get a breather, but Little Rocket Man immediately began to apply pressure after tipping from third, bringing Lochinvar Art A with him.

“I didn’t necessarily want to be parked out from the quarter but knew I had to get off the pylons,” said an ecstatic Tritton.

Getting to the half in :54.2, Leonidas A was up by three-quarters of a length, with Little Rocket Man continuing to grind first over. The field was double-tiered, with four in and four out heading into the clubhouse turn for the final time. Not much changed into the backstretch, and heading to three-quarters Tritton tipped Lochinvar Art A three deep as Little Rocket Man began to back through the field.

At three-quarters in 1:21.4, Leonidas A braced for the challenge of Lochinvar Art A but was overtaken at the head of the lane. Lochinvar Art A got to the lead and through the stretch drew off to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:50. Charlie May closed strongly to be second, while Leonidas A tired and finished third.

“It was all him tonight, he was getting tired on the corner a little bit, and he just kicked into another gear,” said Tritton. “He’s a champion.”

Husband Shane echoed her sentiments: “The horse is so great; we have been waiting for this moment since being in the country.”

Shane Tritton credited his wife’s drive for the victory: “I’m so proud of her; I wouldn’t be here without her.”

Owned by Team Tritton Inc., Lochinvar Art A set a new lifetime mark with the win and pushed his career earnings to $1,285,493.

Backstreet Shadow pulled up shortly after the start; speaking with trainer Travis Alexander following the race, he said, “We’re unsure of what happened, but he is okay.”

Violets Rainbow stands ground in $50,000 MGM Buckeye Distaff

While driver Matt Kakaley didn’t have much luck in the Battle of Lake Erie, he rebounded with Violets Rainbow in the $50,000 MGM Buckeye Distaff on Saturday.

Violets Rainbow scored in 1:51. Casalinova photo.

Kakaley, who had to work hard to get to the lead, wasted no time putting Violets Rainbow into play early, tackling McMarkle Sparkle (George Napolitano Jr.), who defended pylon position early, into the backstretch. Getting to the half in :55.2, Ocean Music (Tyler Buter) began to apply pressure into the clubhouse turn for the final time. Into the backstretch, Violets Rainbow kept foes at bay, leading by a length to three-quarters in 1:23.

As the field turned into the stretch, Kakaley kicked clear, putting away rivals to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:51. McMarkle Sparkle tried to rally but finished second, with Love Me Hill closing to be third.

Owned by Ian Fromowitz, the daughter of Art Official pushed her career earnings to $308,304, scoring her 18th victory for trainer Jared Bako.

Live racing resumes on Sunday evening at 6 p.m. MGM Northfield Park currently races on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday. For more information on live racing and promotions, visit www.northfieldpark.com.