by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — As the Ohio weather changes for the better, harness fans can start focusing on some exciting racing events slated this year at Northfield Park.

The $200,000 (est.) Battle of Lake Erie is set for Friday (June 12) and has 22 nominees. The nominated list includes two-time Battle of Lake Erie champion and the richest Standardbred of all-time, Foiled Again (1:48f, $6,921,281) and the defending Battle champion Clear Vision (1:48.2f, $2,312,132).

Battle nominees also include a host of other millionaire performers in Michael’s Power (1:48.1s, $1,748,161), All Bets Off (1:48.3f, $1,098,092) and Twilight Bonfire (1:50.1f, $1,003,070).

The $200,000 (est.) Cleveland Trotting Classic will go to post on Friday (July 3). This will be the inaugural event for this newly formed race for veteran trotters. Among the 28 trotters nominated to the Cleveland Trotting Classic are millionaires Market Share (1:50.2f, $3,683,960), Daylon Magician (1:51.1s, $1,786,104) and Celebrity Secret (1:52.3, $1,099,663).

The connections of top 3-year-olds in the country have shown great interest in the $500,000 (est.) Carl Milstein Memorial. This race is for 3-year-old pacers and has been slated for Friday (Aug. 14). Included in the 35 nominees are last year’s stand-outs In The Arsenal (1:49.4, $396,318), Go Daddy Go (1:51.1, $365,567), Lyons Levi Lewis (1:52.1s, $362,078) and Lost For Words (1:50.4, $200,286). Three sophomores have staked into the Milstein who are still unbeaten. These include Roland N Rock (14 wins), Wiggle It Jiggleit (six wins) and Allbeef N Nobull (four wins).

The $125,000 (est.) Courageous Lady is the final marque event on Northfield’s calendar. North America’s top 3-year-old pacing fillies will take the stage to compete on Friday (Nov. 27).

There are 47 fillies nominated to the Courageous Lady, including last year’s top performers Sassa Hanover (1:50.1, $485,591), Southwind Roulette (1:51.4f, $300,595), Sports Chic (1:54.2f, $220,779) and Well Hello There (1:53f, $214,132).

Northfield Park’s Stakes Calendar for 2015

Friday (June 12) — Battle of Lake Erie and Ohio Sires Stakes (3-year-old filly pace and trot)

Friday (July 3) — Cleveland Trotting Classic and Ohio Sires Stakes (2-year-old filly pace and trot)

Friday (July 17) — Ohio Sires Stakes (3-year-old colt pace and trot)

Friday (July 24) — Ohio Sires Stakes (2-year-old colt pace and trot)

Saturday (Aug. 1) — Summit County Fair Stakes

Friday (Aug. 14) — Carl Milstein Memorial and Ohio Sires Stakes (3-year-old filly pace and trot)

Friday (Aug. 21) — Ohio Sires Stakes (2-year-old colt and filly pace and trot)

Friday (Nov. 27) — Courageous Lady