by Keith Gisser, assistant publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Northfield’s Cleveland Cavaliers night was a major success Saturday (Jan. 27), despite Anderson Verejao being scratched sick.

First round draft pick Shannon Brown, who grew up in the shadow of Maywood Park, ably filled in, taking on leading driver Aaron Merriman in a game of pop-a-shot. Merriman sank 10 baskets, earning Richard Botzer of Cuyahoga Falls $100. Brown helped Sherrie Reynolds of Akron win $60 by sinking several balls in her basket in another head-to-head matchup.

Daniel Gibson edged Michael Mayer of Parma in pop-a-shot action, sinking a three-pointer at the buzzer, but Mayer, a former high school hoops star, won $100. Ray Kozlow of Stow and John De Brouse of Macedonia won autographed jerseys from the Cavs, while Dave Arnold of Wellington and Eric Penicka of Mentor won signed basketballs from the pair.

Gibson and Brown signed hundreds of autographs during their appearance, as did the Cavalier Girls and mascot Moondog. Drivers Ryan Stahl, John D. Wengerd and Todd Jones, and Northfield Mayor Victor Milani, also posed for pictures with the popular Cavalier Girls.

We are the champions: Darrell Albert, a Columbus, Ohio postman, won the two-day, $10,000 Northfield Tournament of Champions Handicappng Final by turning his $200 real-money bankroll into $1,470.25 over the weekend. That earned him $5,000.

Gary Walczak of Kent finished second and won $2,500 for his $1,201 bankroll. Chester Allen of Strongsville took third place and $1,250, while first–day leader Bob Murray of Broadview Heights, built a $1,090 bankroll, $920 of it on Saturday, also earning $1,250, which included a $500 bonus for being the half-time leader. Mike Moritz of Brookpark finished fifth and took home $500.

On another contest note, Northfield qualifier Bill Edwards finished 13th in the $1 million Coast Casinos Horseplayer World Series at the Orleans Hotel, earning $3,575. Another area resident, Jim Henderson, finished sixth in Las Vegas, earning $14,300.

Timing is everything: Beginning Monday, February 5, Northfield will offer services to the public a half hour before the first race post of the first simulcast track being offered.

Director of Admissions and Promotions Bill Seese explains, “Due to Ohio’s arcane simulcast laws, there was a great deal of confusion among customers regarding opening time and first available simulcast.”

Simulcast schedules are available in live and simulcast programs, from the switchboard operator, at the track’s program stand, and at www.northfieldpark.com/simulcast_schedule.asp.

The services affected by the change are program stand, television signals, concession service and self-serve wagering. As always, live mutuel tellers will continue to be available fifteen minutes before first post.

Valentine’s Day: Wednesday, February 14 is Valentine’s Day and Northfield has a great dinner special as well as a chance to win cool stuff.

The $29.95 dinner buffet for two includes carved prime rib and turkey breast, pastas, the track’s extensive salad and dessert bar and a chocolate fountain with strawberries and other delectable tidbits. It also features complimentary champagne.

Clubhouse admission is free with reservations that night, so reserve your table now. Just call (330) 467-4101 during the day, or extension 290 during racing hours, to reserve your space.