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There are nine harness racing starters in the $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie at MGM Northfield Park on Saturday (June 10) and six of those starters are million dollar career winners.
The premier stakes event of the season, the Battle of Lake Erie is an Invitational Pace and the best older horses in North America have all entered.
The early race favorites in the 11th race feature starts off with Ruthless Hanover (Somebeachsomewhere) from post five for driver George Napolitano, Jr. In his last start, Ruthless Hanover tore up the Harrah’s Philadelphia oval with a world record mile in 1:46.3. Trained by Thomas Cancelliere, Ruthless Hanover is on a two-race win streak, having won four of his five starts in 2023.
Little Rocket Man (Rockin Image) brings his five-race winning streak to Northfield half mile oval for driver John De Long and they drew post two. He sports eight wins already this season, the fastest in 1:49.3.
Covered Bridge (American Ideal) is on a three-race winning streak and has won eight times this year. He starts from post six for driver Tyler Buter. In his last start the seven-year-old gelding won the $111,000 Camluck Classic at Western Fair in 1:52. Covered Bridge races only on half mile tracks.
The three above mentioned horses have not yet reached one million in career purses, yet!
The remainder of the field are all millionaires. Heading the list is $3 million winner This Is The Plan (Somebeachsomewhere, post 9) who continues to earn his keep and was a winner in a leg of the Borgata Series at Yonkers in 1:50.4. Charlie May (Mcardle, post 8) is a former Ohio Champion who has been first or second in his last four starts, losing only by a neck and a nose.
I Did It Myway (Captaintreacherous, post 7) has been enjoying racing at Oak Grove in Kentucky where he won his last start, which was the $150,000 final of the KY Sire Stakes for four-year-olds. He won the race in 1:49.1. He will be driven by Aaron Merriman. Lochinvar Art A (Modern Art, post 4) is the Australian champion who has been close in every race for Team Tritton and sports five wins this year.
Rounding out excellent field are Backstreet Shadow (post 3) for driver Matt Kakaley. He is returning from a brief rest and just won his qualifying race in 1:51.3 at Pocono Downs, winning by 11 and one-quarter lengths, last quarter :26.4. And starting from the rail is Leonidas A for driver Austin Siegelman. A three-time winner so far this season, Leonidas A is always on the board and is a half mile veteran.
Then after the big race, the 13th race features the $50,000 MGM Buckeye Distaff Pace by Invitation for Ohio-sired mares. There are nine starters in the race. Featured are McMarkle Sparkle (post 1), Love Me Hill (post 2) and Violets Rainbow (post 6).
For complete race entries, click here.
by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink
