by Keith Gisser, publicity director, Northfield Park

Northfield, OH — The only things certain in life are death and taxes…and that the $175,000 Cleveland Classic at Northfield is this Saturday evening, Nov. 28. Entries aren’t due until Wednesday morning at 9 a.m., but several top 3-year-old pacers are expected for the richest race of the year at the Route Eight oval.

Sheer Desire finished second Friday in the $225,000 Windy City Pace at Maywood Park. He got the lead and was pressured throughout by favored If I Can Dream, but could not hold off longshot In Over My Head at the wire.

Ohio-bred Standupnkissme was victimized by a trip that saw him parked out past the half in the Windy City. He tired badly, finishing last.

Bob Watts prepped for the Classic locally, winning a $6,000 Open Pace at Northfield, beating older horses in a comfortable 1:55.2.

And in a very interesting development, Cinderella story Go Go Solano appeared to be out of the Classic picture, choosing to race in the Matron Stake at Dover instead. But, saddled with post seven in his elimination, he was parked out every step of the mile and did not qualify for the rich final. That means his connections may choose to pony up $15,000 to supplement him to the Classic after all.

The Classic is shaping up to be a late-season slugfest for the sophomore pacing colts. The evening also features a $40,000 Mystery Voucher promotion for Northfield’s mailing list patrons.

You can get Cleveland Classic info at www.northfieldpark.com. Go to the Promotions tab and click on Cleveland Classic.

Aaron Merriman has all but wrapped up the local driving title, even though there are 28 live race cards remaining this year. He leads runner-up Matt Kakaley, now racing at Florida’s Pompano Park, 396 wins to 315. Ryan Stahl will likey pass Kakaley for second. He currently has 288 local driving wins. Merriman is now fourth in North America with 629 wins overall. The amazing stat for “Iron Man Aaron” is that he has driven in 3,568 races this year, 400 more than any other driver in the country.

The local training title has tightened up as Brian Loney leads with 86 wins, but three hot conditioners are still within striking distance. Larry Clabaugh and Kevin Ehrhardt have each harnessed 75 winners, while Kent Sherman-trainees have taken 73 trips to the winner’s circle. Sherman’s .392 UTR is third among all North American trainers with 500 or more starters.

Krissy K, with 17 wins, is the winningest horse at Northfield this year and is tied with Lucky Jim for third in the North American standings, one win behind co-leaders Chinny Wings and K F B Espada among all trotters. Krissy K should race 5-7 more times this year.