by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — April begins a full slate of stakes action at Northfield Park. The $90,000 (est.) Courageous Lady will go to post on Saturday, April 28. This race is an open stakes event for North America’s top 3-year-old filly pacers and is the first stakes race in 2012 for that class.

Among the 22 fillies nominated to the Courageous Lady are last year’s 2-year-old standouts Class Of O Nine (1:55h, $237,150), Destiny’s Chance (1:52, $287,098), Frontierpan (1:53.3f, $136,938) and Podges Lady (1:52.1f, $214,728).

The $140,000 (est.) Cleveland Classic is the final open stakes event this year. North America’s top 3-year-old pacing colts will take the stage to compete for this year’s Classic crown on Saturday, December 8.

There are 38 colts nominated to the Cleveland Classic, including last year’s standouts A Rocknroll Dance (1:49.1s, $863,325), Bolt The Duer (1:51, $214,058), Caviart Key (1:53.1, 191,073), I Found My Beach (1:53.4h, $197,577), Star Recruit (1:53.1f, $222,309) and Sweet Lou (1:49s, $686,647).

In other racing news at Northfield Park, the $100,000 (est.) Battle Of Lake Erie is set for Saturday, July 21, and has 28 nominees that have combined career earnings in excess of $20 million. The nominated list includes defending champion Foiled Again (1:48.1s, $3,431,055), and millionaire performers Aracache Hanover (1:49.1f, $1,058,993), Atochia (1:49s, $1,376,652) and Won The West (1:47, $3,928,036).

Northfield Park’s Stakes for 2012
Saturday, April 28–Courageous Lady
Tuesday, July 3–Ohio Sires Stakes (2-year-old filly pace and trot)
Saturday, July 21–Battle Of Lake Erie and Ohio Sires Stakes (2-year-old colt pace and trot)
Saturday, July 28–Summit County Fair Stakes
Friday, August 17–Ohio Sires Stakes (3-year-old filly pace and trot)
Saturday, August 18–Ohio Sires Stakes (3-year-old colt pace and trot)
Friday, August 31–Ohio Sires Stakes (2-year-old filly pace and trot)
Saturday, September 1–Ohio Sires Stakes (2-year-old colt pace and trot)
Saturday, December 8–Cleveland Classic

Triple Crown Countdown

Northfield Park will once again offer all the Triple Crown races kicking off with the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 5. Doors open early at 9:30 a.m. with the first post at Churchill Downs set for 10:30 a.m. Plus, we’ll have simulcasting action from over 40 other tracks around the world.

Triple Crown action continues with the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 19, and the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 9.

Harness Ramblings

Northfield Park Players Club members will receive their spring rewards mailing the week of April 16 with points accumulated through Sunday, April 15.

The free-to-enter $900 weekly handicapping contest continues every Sunday through June. The top four finishers every Sunday automatically qualify for the $5,000 final on Sunday, July 1.

The United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program continues every Monday and Tuesday at Northfield Park with the guaranteed $15,000 Pick-4 pool. Plus, don’t forget the low 14 percent takeout rate on all Northfield Park Pick-3s, the Pick-4 and the Pick-5, the best wagering bargains in all of harness racing.