by Keith Gisser, publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Blueridge Western and locally owned Upfront Hannahsboy have been named 2-1 morning line favorites in their respective divisions of Saturday’s (June 21) Cleveland Classic at Northfield Park. The 3-year-old pace is the track’s richest race of the year, with 14 entrants seeking a total purse of $177,520.

The first division, slated as the 10th race, is headed by Ed Mullinax’s Upfront Hannahsboy, fresh off a 1:49.2 stakes record win in the $98,000 North America Cup Consolation on June 14. The son of Mullinax’s Dragon Again has drawn the favorable inside post one, but will be challenged by Daley Deposit Only, who is the 7-2 second choice from post two. Richard Lombardo of Solon shares ownership of Daley Deposit Only, who streaked to a fast 1:51.4 win in his New Jersey Classic elimination early in May.

The second split, the night’s 13th race, features Blueridge Western. The richest horse in the field with earnings of over $371,000, he won the $215,000 Berry’s Creek Final at The Meadowlands earlier this year in 1:50.1. He will be challenged by Goddess’s Justin, whose full brother Michael’s Western won a division of the race in 2002, and by Northfield regular Western Outfitter, who rides a three-race win streak for his Westlake owner Matthew Bencic.

The 16-race card features a special 6:45 p.m. first post time, with the Cleveland Classic heats scheduled for approximately 9:45 and 10:45 p.m. Supported by Ohio Sires Stakes for 3-year-old filly pacers and trotters, total purses for the night are $369,620, the highest of the year at the Route Eight harness track.

Cleveland Classic 1st $88,760 Division
Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Owner-Odds
1-Upfront Hannahsboy-Aaron Merriman-Jim Arledge, Jr.-Ed Mullinax-2-1
2-Daley Deposit Only-Dan Daley-Dan Daley-Ann-Mari & Jared Daley, Richard Lombardo & Robert Pergament-7-2
3-Lookout Hanover-Mike Wilder-Dan Altmeyer-D. Altmeyer, Richard Keeson, Jack Piatt II, Jacob Ramsburg-6-1
4-Oaks Hanover-Dave Palone-Mickey Burke-George Leon-4-1
5-Stonebridge Magnum-TBA-Bob McIntosh-Angie Stiller, R. McIntosh Stable, Dan Belliveau-12-1
6-Jo Pas Wild Card-Tom Jackson-Tom Jackson-Emposimato Stables-8-1
7-Andy Roo-Anthony Napolitano-Erv Miller-Red Barn Stable-10-1

Cleveland Classic 2nd $88,760 Division
Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Owner-Odds
1-Papa Hemingway-TBA-Brian Brown-Gary Cook and Brian Brown-10-1
2-Western Outfitter-Aaron Merriman-Jodi Schillaci-Matthew “Ken” Bencic-8-1
3-Dragoon K-Tony Hall-Rich Gillock-Robert J. Key-6-1
4-Blueridge Western-Dave Palone-Mickey Burke-George Leon-2-1
5-Goddess’s Justin-Dick Stillings-Jim Arledge, Jr.-Jacob Ramsburg and DM Stables-5-2
6-Shoot First-Mike Wilder-Dan Altmeyer-D. Altmeyer, R. Keeson, J. Piatt II-12-1
7-Handsome Prince-Kenny Kidd-Kenny Kidd-Buckeye Racing, LLC-15-1