Clear Vision and Foiled Again will go to the gate at Northfield Park this Friday as former winners of the Battle of Lake Erie. However, they face six strong competitors -- including a Canadian invader -- attempting to garner a Battle score of their own.
State Treasurer drew post 7 and has been named the 5-2 slight morning-line favourite in this year’s $175,000 Battle field by Northfield Park Executive Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting, Dave Bianconi. Entering Friday’s race off two consecutive victories, he attracts national star and Buckeye native David Miller to drive. State Treasurer won the $150,000 Molson Pace at Western Fair on May 29 in 1:51. He has career earnings of $1,057,420 with a 1:48.1 lifetime mark on Mohawk’s seven-eighths mile track.
Clear Vision, last year’s Battle winner, has drawn the rail in his quest to repeat in 2015. He is 8-1 on the morning line. Clear Vision has been second or third in six of 10 starts this year but has yet to visit the winner’s circle. He has 29 lifetime scores and has earned $2,365,194.
Foiled Again drew post 6 and is the 4-1 third choice. He will make his unprecedented seventh Battle appearance. Friday will reveal if he is successful in becoming the first horse in Northfield Park history to win the event three times. The 11-year-old son of Dragon Again (2000 Battle Champion) won in 2009 and 2011, joining Jaguar Spur (winner in 1988 and 1989), Peruvian Hanover (2002 and 2003) and Maltese Artist (2005 and 2007) as the only four horses to win the Battle of Lake Erie twice.
Foiled Again became a Battle of Lake Erie champion before five of this year’s competitors were even born. He has paced his last two times behind the gate in 1:51 at The Meadowlands. Both were qualifiers in the aftermath of a five-week layoff for minor throat surgery for an entrapped epiglottis. Foiled Again is trained by Ron Burke and has garnered 83 career victories and earnings of $6,949,025, ranking him as the richest pacer in the history of harness racing.
The 2015 Battle of Lake Erie field:
Horse - Driver - Trainer - M/L
1. Clear Vision - Chris Page - Ron Burke - 8-1
2. Cammikey - Brian Zendt - William Zendt - 12-1
3. Luck Be Withyou - Ronnie Wrenn Jr. - Chris Oakes - 7-2
4. Duc Dorleans - Daniel Dube - Marie Dupont - 15-1
5. Foiled Again - Matt Kakaley - Ron Burke - 4-1
6. Big Boy Dreams - Aaron Merriman - Rene Allard - 9-2
7. State Treasurer - David Miller - Ian Moore - 5-2
8. Night Pro - TBA - Dale Decker - 20-1
Since its inception in 1986, the Battle of Lake Erie has drawn the very best veteran pacers in North America. Past Battle Champions include racing greats Falcon Seelster, Quite A Sensation, Jaguar Spur, Dorunrun Bluegrass, Cambest, Riyadh, Gallo Blue Chip and Maltese Artist.
Powerful Undercard
This year’s Battle of Lake Erie program carries total purses of $456,500. The 15-race program boasts an impressive undercard featuring five $40,000 divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes for three year-old filly pacers and trotters.
Superfecta wagering has been added to Friday’s 11th race, the Battle feature. A $10,000 Guaranteed Pick 4 has also been added and covers races eight through 11. First race post time is 6:00 p.m.
In addition to superior racing action, Battle night will also offer guests a sumptuous 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 to visit Seti’s Polish Boys food truck. Live music by The Attraxxion will be part of the apron scene from 6-10 p.m. and spin the prize wheel with WMJI’s Chip Kullik from 7-9 p.m.
(Northfield)