by Ayers Ratliff, Northfield Park Publicity Department

Northfield, OH — Northfield Park’s $140,000 (est.) Cleveland Classic is the final open stakes event on this year’s national harness racing calendar. North America’s top 3-year-old pacing colts will take the stage to compete for this year’s Classic crown on Saturday (Dec. 8).

Among the 38 horses eligible, five of this year’s top sophomore standouts are probable.

A Rocknroll Dance is approaching $2 million in career earnings. The son of Rocknroll Hanover is owned by A RockNRoll Dance Stable of Wauseon, Ohio and trained by Ohio-based Jim Mulinix. The horse has garnered 11 lifetime wins, including this year’s $600,000 Meadowlands Pace. A Rocknroll Dance paced his career best of 1:48.3 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Bolt The Duer already has won 14 races in his career, including this year’s $415,820 Messenger at Yonkers Raceway. The son of Ponder is owned by All Star Racing, Inc., of Towaco, N.J. and trained by Peter Foley. Bolt The Duer has bankrolled $1,036,063 and took a lifetime mark of 1:47.4 at The Meadows.

Dynamic Youth, winner of this year’s $322,716 Cane Pace, has earnings of $676,007. This son of Bettor’s Delight is trained by Aaron Lambert and owned by J&T Silva Stables of Long Beach, N.Y., Kenneth Tucci of Wood Ridge, N.J. and C&G Racing Stable of Roslyn Heights, N.Y. His 1:48.3 lifetime mark was paced at Tioga Downs.

Pet Rock is a son of Rocknroll Hanover with earnings just shy of $1 million. Among his 10 lifetime wins is a victory scored earlier this month in the $215,000 Windy City Pace. Pet Rock paced a 1:50 career best at Woodbine Racetrack for trainer Virgil Morgan, Jr. and owner Frank Bellino of Bronxville, N.Y.

Thinking Out Loud has banked $1,190,825 for owners Robert McIntosh Stables of LaSalle, Ontario, CXS Stables of Liberty Center, Ohio and Al McIntosh Holdings of Leamington, Ontario. He is trained by part-owner Robert McIntosh. The most notable of his nine career victories was his triumph in the $1,470,000 North America Cup at Mohawk, when he paced his career-best time of 1:47.4.