by Keith Gisser, director of publicity, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Northfield Park’s next Players Club Reward mailing is set for August 1. At that time, any player who has accumulated 2,000 points will receive a betting voucher representing his level of play during the preceding four months, as well as coupons for free television carrels and live and simulcast programs.

Northfield’s graduated rewards program means that as a patron wagers at higher levels, his reward increases exponentially.

The Players Club, which has over 9,000 members, is free to join. Patrons can simply log on to www.northfieldpark.com/players_club_application.asp or head to the Players Club service kiosks, one of which is located on the main floor of the grandstand, next to the center program stand. The second kiosk, open on weekends, is located in the mezzanine of our clubhouse restaurant.

Dunk And Do It Early: On Saturday, July 28, Northfield hosts the $200,000 Summit County Fair Stakes, and opens early for simulcasting and offers a record 43 tracks for simulcast wagering — 26 featuring thoroughbred or quarter horse racing and 17 with harness racing. The track also will provide free coffee and Dunkin Donuts to patrons from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m.

The Summit County Fair Stakes, part of the Buckeye Super Stake circuit, could feature as many as 18 heats, with a 7:00 p.m. first race post time.

The Meadowlands’ traditional 5:00 p.m. twilight card featuring the eliminations of the $1.5 million Hambletonian for 3-year-old trotters is held that day. Will Mythical Lindy, owned locally by Joe Sbrocco of Brecksville, with Tom York of Newark, triumph? He has won 10 of 17 career starts for his connections.

Sbrocco sent out last year’s Hambletonian favorite, Mr Pine Chip, but he made a costly break in the final.

On The Hambletonian: The $1.5 million Hambletonian Final, set for Saturday, August 4, will be available for wagering at Northfield. In fact, by special arrangement, the track features the entire Meadowlands card — not just the Hambletonian, but the $750,000 Hambletonian Oaks for 3-year-old filly trotters, the $275,000 Oliver Wendell Holmes for sophomore pacing colts, the $350,000 Misteltoe Shalee for sophomore pacing fillies, the $350,000 U.S. Pacing Championship and the $300,000 Nat Ray Free-For-All Trot.

First Meadowlands post is 11:30 a.m. on August 4. Northfield races live at 7:00 p.m. that night and the Meadowlands is the only early track available that day.

But Wait, There’s More: Aaron Merriman showed no signs of jet lag (or Jet Laag) Saturday after picking up a win the night before in the Cal Expo-Northfield Pro-Am Driving Challenge to help the locals secure victory. Northfield’s leading driver won five races on the Northfield card, while Wyatt Irvine and Todd Jones tripled. J.D. Wengerd, who also represented Northfield out west, also picked up a local win Saturday…Erica DeLong’s Dynastar made it five straight wins with a victory in Northfield’s Mares Open Pace Friday. The 1:56.2 score was the third straight at the top level for the 5-year-old daughter of Bareback Writer, who is trained by Ray Crawford.