by Ayers Ratliff

Northfield, OH — On Thursday, July 3 Northfield Park will host six divisions of Ohio Sires Stake racing action as part of the 15-race program. This will be the first leg of the Sires Stakes for the freshman fillies. The stakes action will help to highlight “Back to the Track.”

The United States Trotting Association has coordinated “Back to the Track” with racetracks across the United States to make it a national event. “Back to the Track” is designed to promote harness racing and encourage occasional or former race fans to come “Back to the Track” for an exciting night of entertainment.

Freshman filly pacers will start Thursday’s stake action in Race 1 for the $40,000 first division. Finefeelinfriskie (Feelin Friskie-Lady Shuffle-Cam’s Card Shark) is the 7-5 morning-line favorite for owners CT Howard of Hilliard, Ohio, Herres Stables of Bellbrook, Ohio, GS Tucker of Quebec, Canada and DA Mitchell of Novi, Michigan. Virgil Morgan Jr. is the filly’s trainer and has enlisted the services of Greg Grismore. Finefeelinfriskie makes her first lifetime start. She has posted three qualifying efforts, most recently winning at Scioto Downs in 1:56.4. Finefeelinfriskie will start from post three. Also competing in the first division will be Naughty Osborne, Friskie Lil Devil, Happy Jude, Feelin Outragous, Zebra Stripes and Hailstorm Grace.

Race 2 will be the $40,000 first division for 2-year old filly Ohio-bred trotters. Trainer Dan Ater will start Honey B (Victory Sam-Honey Mesquite-Angus Hall) as the 3-1 slight morning-line favorite. Honey B starts from post two and faces seven rivals. Honey B shows two qualifying lines, most recently finishing second in 2:03.3 at Scioto Downs. Kyle Ater is scheduled to drive for owners Jim Burnett of Wilmington, Ohio and Tim Homan of Maineville, Ohio. Song Of The Valley, Iron Lucy, Student Of Life, I’d Rather Walk, Hello Chipper, Star Of Thine and Sammy Star complete the line-up.

Pacers return to the stage in Race 3 for the $40,000 second division Ohio Sire Stakes. Karlee Sue (Feelin Friskie-Magical Jeanie-Magical Mike) is the 2-1 morning-line favorite for owners Dennis Stolz of Midland, Michigan, Daniel Mitchell of Novi, Michigan and co-owner/trainer Allen Tomlinson of Mason, Michigan. Karlee Sue has one start to her credit, a third place finish in a $11,160 race at Mohawk. Driver Chris Page will start the pacer from post-six in a field that consists of Suite Feelin, Playa Del Sol, Zoey’s Lemon Tart, Blinded, Fellin Flirty and Corner Girl.

Trotters again compete in Race 5 for the $40,000 second division of the Ohio Sires Stakes. Sunrise Nibbles (Iron Duke-Sweethomeourbama-Kadabra) starts from the rail and is the 2-1 morning-line favorite. She is owned by C Beaver of Delaware, Ohio, Synerco Vent of Ontario, Canada, S Zeehandler of Worthington, Ohio and D Lang of Hird, Ohio. Trainer, Christopher Beaver, has called upon Chris Page to drive. This filly has two qualifying efforts, winning both, the fastest in 2:02.1 at Scioto Downs. Sunrise Nibbles starts from the rail and has a host of rivals consisting of Influential Girl, Dolly Dunn, Defiant Victory, Talissa, Bettys Sam, Soaring Flight and Sammie’s Delight.

Race 11 will host the $40,000 third division for 2-year-old filly pacers. Medoland Kendolin (Feelin Friskie-Wanida Jean-Mattcando) is the 3-1 morning-line favorite for owners TF Hoovler of Pataskala, Ohio, RV Hutchinson of North Ridgeville, Ohio and Dr. R Van Hutchison of Avon Lake, Ohio. Mike Medors trains the filly and uses Aaron Merriman to drive. This freshman has two qualifying lines, most recently finishing second and pacing in 1:59.3 at Scioto Downs. Medoland Kendolin starts from post three in a field consisting of The Light, Indian Rockette, Friskie Til Dawn, Tolatetoapologize, Colossal Chaos, Forever Golden and Bevnlindas Blossom.

Race 12, the final freshman stakes on the night, is the $40,000 third division for trotters. I’m Chiptastic (Chip Chip Hooray-Pleasure Skate-Super Pleasure) is the 3-1 morning-line favorite for owners Mel Rose Stable of Hopewell, Ohio and David Pierce of Houston, Texas. John Ryan Melsheimer is the filly’s trainer and driver. I’m Chiptastic makes her first lifetime start. She has posted two qualifying efforts, most recently being timed in 2:02.3 at The Meadows. I’m Chiptastic will start from post five. Also competing in the third division will be Miss Fanci Cash, Hot Chip, If I Could Count, Chip Chip Skater, Little Casino, Dark Roast and Lisa Jane.

Northfield’s Lady Luck’s Clubhouse restaurant will be open featuring a picnic style buffet for just $12.95. Reservations are preferred and are placed by calling 330/467-4101.

Harness Racing Bingo is back by popular demand as part of the “Back to the Track” festivities. Bingo is FREE to participate in and offers prizes worth over $1,500.

Guests in attendance will receive a FREE 2014 Northfield Park Drivers Poster. A driver autograph station and meet and greet will be open from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Fans can catch t-shirts that will be tossed into the crowd by the winning driver of each race.

“Back to the Track” also features FREE television carrels. Dollar programs, hot dogs and soft drinks will be offered as well as $3.00 beer specials.
With exciting racing action and a host of great activities, everyone has a reason to come “Back to the Track.” Thursday night has a regular first race post time of 6 p.m.