by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — April begins a full slate of stakes action at Northfield Park.

The $87,000 (est.) Courageous Lady will go to post on Friday (April 26). This race for North America’s top 3-year-old filly pacers kicks off the 2013 stakes calendar.

Among the 20 fillies nominated to the Courageous Lady are last year’s 2-year-old standouts Cam’s Macharena (1:54.2f, $89,194), Carols Desire (1:53.3, $99,269), Champagne Tonight (1:51.3f, $202,316) and Miss Madi M (1:53.1f, $90,247).

The $130,000 (est.) Cleveland Classic is the final open stakes event this year. North America’s top 3-year-old pacing colts compete for the Classic Crown on Saturday (Dec. 14).

There are 31 colts nominated to the Cleveland Classic, including 2012 standouts Apprentice Hanover (1:49.4s, $266,998), Dedi’s Dragon (1:52.2f, $231,617), Good Day Mate (1:52.2f, $223,633), Mach Pride (1:51.4s, $433,438), Odds On Equuleus (1:50, $417,534) and Twilight Bonfire (1:51f, $257,848).

In other racing news at Northfield Park, the $100,000 (gtd.) Battle of Lake Erie is set for Saturday (July 20) and has 30 nominees that have combined career earnings approaching $28 million. The nominated list includes defending champion Classic Rock Nroll (1:50.1s, $633,408) and two-time Battle of Lake Erie champion Foiled Again (1:48.1s, $4,638,484).

Battle nominees also include an impressive host of millionaire performers in Annieswesterncard (1:49.3f, $1,207,436), Aracache Hanover (1:48.1f, $1,458,949), A Rocknroll Dance (1:48.1f, $1,931,704), Bolt The Duer (1:47.4f, $1,116,668), Clear Vision (1:48.2, $1,160,475), Michael’s Power (1:48.1s, $1,478,716), Pet Rock (1:50s, $1,011,384), Thinking Out Loud (1:47.4s, $1,265,312) and We Will See (1:47.2, $2,548,159).

Northfield Park 2013 Stakes Schedule
Friday (April 26)–Courageous Lady
Wednesday (July 3)–Ohio Sires Stakes (2-year-old colt pace and trot)
Friday (July 19)–Ohio Sires Stakes (2-year-old filly pace and trot)
Saturday (July 20)–Battle Of Lake Erie and Ohio Sires Stakes (3-year-old colt pace and trot)
Saturday (July 27)–Summit County Fair Stakes
Friday (August 16)–Ohio Sires Stakes (3-year-old filly pace and trot)
Friday (August 30)–Ohio Sires Stakes (2-year-old filly pace and trot)
Saturday (Dec. 14)–Cleveland Classic

Weekly Sunday contest returns with Aqueduct this Sunday

A new Sunday handicapping contest begins April 7. The free-to-enter $900 weekly contest continues every Sunday through August and features NYRA tracks including Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga.

The top four finishers every Sunday automatically qualify for the $5,000 fnal on Sunday (Sept. 1).

The contest is for Players Club members only; new members may sign up that day and enter. Entry forms may be picked up beginning at 11 a.m. and must be returned five minutes prior to first post.

$5 Match Play every Thursday in April

Visit Northfield Park every Thursday in April to receive a free $5 Match Play from 1-3 p.m. The Match Play promotion is for Players Club members only; new members may sign up that day and receive the Match Play bet.

Northfield Park is open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 12 Noon for early simulcasting. Free admission and free parking daily.