by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — On Saturday (July 20), Northfield Park will host three divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes racing action and the annual George Verban Memorial. These races will highlight the undercard for the $120,500 Battle of Lake Erie 14-race program. This will be the third leg of the Sires Stakes for the sophomore colts.

Ohio Sires Stake trotters will start Saturday’s show in race one for the $30,000 first division. Final Breath (Victory Sam-First Breath) is the 3-5 heavy morning line favorite for owner Duane Lowe. Hugh Beatty is the gelding’s trainer and driver. Final Breath has won 10 of 16 lifetime starts, winning four of seven this year. He has a bankroll of $73,197 and a lifetime mark of 1:57.1 at Scioto Downs on May 27 in the second leg of the OSS. Final Breath will start from post two in the short five-horse field.

Also competing in the first division will be Happy Go Manny, Chet N Spanky, Annie’s Rocketman and Howdhedothat.

Race two will be the $30,000 second division of the Ohio Sire Stakes for trotters. Heza Rube (Master Lavec-Rubicella) is the 2-1 morning line favorite for owner Bob Troyer and Northfield Park Wall of Fame trainer Marty Wollam. Heza Rube has six victories in 14 lifetime starts. His 1:59.2 mark was taken earlier this year in the first leg of the OSS at Lebanon Raceway. His career earnings are $85,415.

Driver Kurt Sugg will start the trotter from post four in a field that consists of last year’s OSS champion Trottin On Over, Buzzen Troubador, Neely Spring, Flashy Cash and Masterdream Chaser.

The evening’s eighth race is the $6,000 George Verban Memorial Open Pace. The annual race is dedicated to the longtime sports writer for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.

Despite starting from the outside, Lonesome Attack (On The Attack-Lady Lonesome) has been named the 5-2 morning line favorite. He is owned by the partnership of Gerrie Tucker, Ciro Gentile and Debbie Bird. Trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr. has called upon Dan Noble to drive. This 5-year-old gelding has 75 lifetime starts, winning 17 times and bankrolling $299,810, with a 1:51 mark taken this year at The Meadows.

Lonesome Attack’s rivals consist of Danny Noonan, Jumpin Jack J, Blueridge Camagot, Royal Morn, Bruisen N Cruisen, Moreland Flash and Lyons Josephjnr.

Sophomore Buckeye-bred pacers will take to the stage in race 10 for the $35,000 third leg and final Sires Stakes event of the evening. That Friske Feelin (Feelin Friskie-Marquee Event) is the 5-2 morning line favorite in a full field of 10. That Friske Feelin is owned by the partnership of Howard Taylor, Edwin Gold and Richard Lombardo. North America’s leading trainer, Ron Burke, trains the gelding and has called upon Tony Hall to drive.

This 3-year-old has won six of 13 career races, but is still searching for his first win in 2013. His 1:53.4 mark was taken last year and he has a career bankroll of $77,383.

That Friske Feelin starts from post three in a talented field consisting of Feelin Lika Winner, Sassy Osborne, CC Big Boy Cam, Phantom Flasher, Hanky L, Firetowers Stand, River Valley Pearl, Retrieve Forever and Forever Kissed.