by Keith Gisser, assistant publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Trainer Joe Holloway told Director of Racing Gregg Keidel that the sport’s newest world champion, Gold Dust Beach, is being pointed toward the $125,000 Battle of Lake Erie at Northfield on Saturday, April 21.

The son of Jenna’s Beach Boy-Good As Gold posted a 1:49 win at Dover Downs in Delaware last Monday, bettering Riyadh’s ten-year-old standard for veteran pacing horses. Gold Dust Beach did all the work in the mile, leading form start to finish, making his effort that much more impressive.

He is owned by Leon and Linda Devisser’s L&L Devisser Llc, of Holland, Michigan. Holloway plans to race the 5-year-old at the Meadowlands this weekend and then ship him here for the Battle.

Gold Dust Beach will join Maltese Artist and possibly Georgia Pacific in the Battle, meaning the race could have three world champs in the field. Load The Dice and Our Lucky Killean are also Battle probables.

A Taxing Levy: Battle contenders Mister Big and Maltese Artist locked up in a $50,000 Levy Memorial leg at Yonkers Raceway and even the photo-finish operator had a hard time separating the pair. When the print was developed, Mister Big, who rallied three-wide from well back when the outside tier of horses stalled, was a nose ahead of Maltese Artist, who had led throughout the mile. Greg Grismore drove the Virgil Morgan, Jr. trainee to the 1:53 victory.

Maltese Artist won the 2005 Battle for trainer Mickey Burke and owners Jim Koran (of Macedonia), John Howard and Sylvia Burke. He would become a millionaire with a Battle victory.

Joe Muscara’s Mister Big is now seven for nine this year, with two seconds. He has banked just under $176,000 during that streak.

Don’t Forget: Monday, April 16 is another early simulcast opening, with first action just after noon. Free coffee and Dunkin Donuts will be available from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m.

Friday, May 4 is the track’s second annual Evan Williams Bourbon Night, with a bourbon sampling, full buffet meal and great giveaways to participants. Contact Mary Randall at (330) 467-4101, extension 203, for more information.

The first 3,000 patrons paying regular admission on Battle night get free Northfield Park sweatshirts.

Northfield hosts an Ohio Lottery Pick Three Trifecta night on Friday, May 11.

A Coast Casinos qualifiying Handicapping Tournament has been announced for Memorial Day, Monday, May 28.

Patrons will have two chances to win automobiles as part of the track’s 50th Anniversary celebration this summer, with one Pontiac being given away in July and another in August. The promotion is co-sponsored by Jay Pontiac/Honda.

Media Advisory: 2007 Northfield Park Media Guides are available to the public at the Northfield Park gift ship and are priced at $5.00.

Next week, there will be Battle of Lake Erie Keeping Pace editions on Monday and Tuesday, and a post-draw release on Wednesday, April 18. A scratch-time release on Thursday morning will cover any late driver changes.