by Ayers Ratliff

Northfield, OH — Northfield Park has announced the dates of six “Hard Rockin’ Claiming Series. “These new late closers are just part of the increased opportunities offered here at Northfield,” said Dave Bianconi, Executive Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting. “As our purses increase, we would like to fill more straight claiming races. These series will give claimers a real opportunity to race for solid purses in each leg and a big money final.”

Mondays (March 31, April 7 and April 14) will host The Hall of Fame Series, for $8,000 claiming trotters, and The Legend Series, for $8,000 claiming pacers. Each of the three legs will carry purses of $6,500.

Tuesdays (April 1, April 8 and April 15) will offer The Icon Series for $4,000 claiming pacers. Each leg will be raced for a $4,000 purse.

Wednesdays (April 2, April 9 and April 16) highlight The Juke Box Hero Series, for $4,000 claiming trotters. Each of these legs will also carry a $4,000 purse.

Thursdays (April 3, April 10 and April 17) will feature The Diva Series, for fillies and mares $4,000 claiming pacers, offering purses of $4,000. Also on those nights, The Prima Donna Series, for fillies and mares $8,000 claiming pacers, will offer purses of $6,500.

The finals of all six series will be raced on Friday (April 25) on the undercard of the $100,000 (gtd) Courageous Lady, the first Grand Circuit stakes event of 2014 for 3- year-old filly pacers. The finals of The Hall of Fame, The Legend and The Prima Donna Series will carry purses of $20,000 (gtd). The Icon, The Juke Box Hero and The Diva Series finals will race for $15,000 (gtd).

A one-time $100 payment will be required of each entrant to be eligible. Payments are due by March 15.

Exact conditions for the series can be found at www.northfieldpark.com. The link is near the bottom of Northfield’s homepage.