by Ayers Ratliff, for Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — Northeast Ohio’s premier trotting race, the Cleveland Trotting Classic, will go to post Saturday (July 2) at Northfield Park. This will be the second edition of the Classic and it carries a purse of $180,000.

The Grand Circuit event has attracted some of the best veteran trotters in North America. It has been slated as the 11th event on a 15-race program. First race post time is 6 p.m.

Shake It Cerry drew post three and has been named the 2-1 morning line favorite by Northfield Park Executive Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting Dave Bianconi. Although winless so far in 2016, the 5-year-old mare has 28 lifetime successes and earnings of more than $2.5 million.

Obrigado drew the rail and has been assigned a 3-1 morning line. He was the runner-up in last year’s Classic and has three wins in six starts this season, most recently a 1:53.3 score in the $210,000 Charlie Hill Memorial at Scioto Downs on June 11.

Local favorite Like Old Times enters this event off two straight wins over the Flying Turns. She was the 2015 Ohio Horse of the Year and is conditioned by Northfield Park Wall of Famer and Ohio trot master Don McKirgan. Although programmed as a 25-1 longshot, she broke the track record for 4-year-old trotting mares just two weeks ago.

Below is the 2016 Cleveland Trotting Classic field:

Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer-M/L
1. Obrigado-Mark MacDonald-Paul Kelley-3-1
2. Homicide Hunter-Dave Palone-Chris Oakes-4-1
3. Shake It Cerry-Ronnie Wrenn Jr-Jimmy Takter-2-1
4. Il Sogno Dream-Trevor Henry-Christopher Beaver-10-1
5. Muscle Up The Goal-Aaron Merriman-Christopher Beaver-8-1
6. Maestro Blue Chip-Victory Kirby-Jo Ann Looney-King-6-1
7. Like Old Times-Ryan Stahl-Don McKirgan-25-1
8. Boffin-Jason Merriman-Anette Lorentzon-25-1

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

This year’s Classic program undercard is highlighted by three $20,000 Open events. One features Foiled Again, the richest horse in the history of harness racing and a three-time Battle of Lake Erie winner. The Opens and the Trotting Classic comprise the evening’s Pick-4, which carries a $10,000 guaranteed pool.

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 an array of free fanfare activities. These attractions include a free Northfield Park ball cap for the first 1,500 patrons, a t-shirt toss from the winner’s circle by the successful driver of each race, country band Six String Cowboy performing on the apron from 6-10 p.m., spinning of the Northfield Park Prize Wheel for free cash and prizes from 8-9 p.m., and some of Northeast Ohio’s favorite food trucks on the grandstand apron from 6-10 p.m.