by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — Northeast Ohio’s newest premier race, the Cleveland Trotting Classic, will go to post Friday (July 3) at Northfield Park. The Classic carries a $170,000 purse for its inaugural edition and has attracted some of the best veteran trotters in North America. The Grand Circuit race is the featured event of a stakes-laden program that offers total purses of $647,500.

Lisa photo

Obrigado is the morning line favorite in the Cleveland Trotting Classic.

Obrigado drew post two and has been named the 2-1 morning line favorite in the Classic field by Northfield Park Executive Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting Dave Bianconi. Entering Friday’s race off a 1:51.3 lifetime mark in the $50,000 TVG Free For All at the Meadowlands, Mark MacDonald has been named to drive the 5-year-old gelding. Obrigado sports 31 wins, including 21 consecutive victories earlier in his career, and has lifetime earnings of $421,164.

DW’s NY Yank is the 3-1 second choice. He drew post three for powerhouse trainer Ron Burke. The 6-year-old has five wins this year and 37 career victories. DW’s NY Yank is a hard-hitting Open trotter that has garnered career earnings of $855,914 with a 1:51.3 mark at Pocono in 2013.

Daylon Magician is the richest in the field with $1,849,527 in earnings. He drew post seven and is 6-1. The 7-year-old has five wins this year and 30 lifetime scores, the richest being the $1,020,000 Canadian Trotting Classic at Mohawk Racetrack in 2011. Jack Moiseyev is the 7-year-old’s trainer and driver. Daylon Magician has a 1:51.1 mark at Mohawk Racetrack, trotted in 2013.

The 2015 Cleveland Trotting Classic field:

Horse-Driver-Trainer-M/L
1-Count Me In-Aaron Merriman-Ron Burke-9-2
2-Obrigado-Mark MacDonald-Paul Kelley-2-1
3-DW’s NY Yank-Chris Page-Ron Burke-3-1
4-Awesome Valley-Aaron Merriman-Joseph Hundertpfund Jr.-20-1
5-Datsyuk-Charlie Norris-Charlie Norris-15-1
6-Rompaway Galaxy-Aaron Merriman-Krista Harmon-12-1
7-Daylon Magician-Jack Moiseyev-Jack Moiseyev-6-1
8-Il Sogno Dream-Aaron Merriman-Christopher Beaver-8-1

Driver selections will be finalized by 9 p.m. Tuesday evening.

This year’s Classic program undercard is highlighted by 11 $40,000 Ohio Sires Stakes races featuring the best freshman filly pacers and trotters in the Buckeye State. There will be six divisions of filly pacers and five filly trot stakes races going to post.

Superfecta wagering has been added to Friday’s 11th race, the Classic feature. A $10,000 guaranteed Pick-4 has also been added and covers races eight through 11. First race post time is 6 p.m.

In addition to superior racing action, the night will also offer guests a buffet in Lady Luck’s clubhouse dining room. The buffet is just $19.95. Reservations are preferred and can be made by calling 330.467.4101.

Guests who want to be close to all of the racing action can stop by the grandstand apron for a plethora of free fanfare activities. These attractions include a t-shirt toss from the winner’s circle by the successful driver of each race, driver meet-and-greets and commemorative poster signings throughout the evening, Harness Racing Bingo offering more than $1,000 in cash and prizes, country band Six String Cowboy performing on the apron from 6-10 p.m., and spinning of the Northfield Park Prize Wheel for cash and prizes from 8-9:30 p.m.