Rockin Ron, the standout in a field with a combined 203 victories, drew post 2 and has been named the 3-5 morning-line favorite by Northfield Park Executive Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting, Dave Bianconi.
Rockin Ron attracts national driving star Matt Kakaley, who just returned to action on May 19 after being sidelined by a racing accident on March 13. Rockin Ron is one of two entries in the field for harness racing's leading trainer, Ron Burke.
Rockin Ron enters the Battle off three consecutive victories, having captured last Saturday's $115,500 Camluck Classic at Western Fair by eight lengths in 1:50.1. He makes his second local appearance after finishing third in last year's Battle. The early favorite has a career-best 1:47.3 (Moh 7/8) and a $1,208,857 bankroll.
Nine year-old Bit Of A Legend N continues to race at the top of his game. This 43-time winner has made the ticket in seven of eight races this year, including a runner-up finish in the $532,000 Levy Final at Yonkers Raceway. He drew post 5 and has been assigned a 7-2 morning line.
Although competing in the vast majority of his 127 lifetime starts on a half-mile track, Saturday marks But Of A Legend's first start over the Flying Turns. He is the richest in this year's field with $2,141,131 to his credit and sports a 1:50.3 (Stga) lifetime mark.
2017 Battle Champion All Bets Off will be defending his title from post 4. History proves that he likes Northfield's surface. All Bets Off won the inaugural $400,000 Carl Milstein Memorial in 2014 and was the runner-up (from post 8) in this event in 2016, before posting his 1:49.2 Battle victory in 2017. He has career earnings of $2,938,554 and a 1:48.2 lifetime mark (RcR 5/8).
Since its inception in 1986, the Battle of Lake Erie has drawn the best veteran pacers in the sport. Past Battle champions include racing greats Falcon Seelster, Quite A Sensation, Jaguar Spur, Dorunrun Bluegrass, Cambest, Gallo Blue Chip, Maltese Artist and Foiled Again.
The 2018 $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie field:
Horse Driver Trainer M/L
1-Allbeef N Nobull Ronnie Wrenn Jr. Sarah Andrews 20-1
2-Rockin Ron Matt Kakaley Ron Burke 3-5
3-Missile J Ronnie Wrenn Jr. Scott Di Domenico 6-1
4-All Bets Off Chris Page Ron Burke 8-1
5-Bit Of A Legend N Jordan Stratton Peter Tritton 7-2
6-Granite Aaron Merriman Ken Rucker 25-1
7-Scott Rocks Aaron Merriman Hunter Oakes 12-1
*Final driver selections are due by 9PM on Tuesday.
Harness racing's richest horse, Foiled Again, with $7,573,178 in earnings, has competed on every Battle card since 2009. The only three-time Battle Champ is not ready to give up the spotlight yet, drawing post 7 in the evening's eighth race conditioned event. He is attempting to garner his 100th career win. Harness racing's longest shining star is now 14 years old and faces mandatory retirement on December 31 of this year.
The 16-race Battle program begins at 6 p.m. and also features three $40,000 divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes for sophomore filly pacers and a $7,500 guaranteed Pick 4 (races 8 – 11).
In addition to superior racing action, Battle night will also offer guests a $19.95 buffet in Lady Luck's clubhouse dining room from 6-9 p.m. Reservations are preferred and can be made by calling 330-467-4101.
Guests who want to be down close to all of the racing action can stop by the grandstand apron to visit Northfield's trackside patio picnic and Crooked Kettle Popcorn. Live music by Six String Cowboy Band will be part of the apron scene from 6-10 p.m.
Other action trackside includes Spin and Win with WGAR's Brian Fowler from 7-9 p.m, and FREE-to-play Ball Toss from 7-8 p.m. to win cash vouchers, Hard Rock Rocksino buffets, and assorted other prizes. Patrons can also win FREE lottery tickets from Ohio Lottery's Pop-A-Shot from 8:30-9:30 p.m.
All Battle night attendees from 5-10 p.m. will receive a FREE $5 match play and an entry into our Race into Summer Giveaway. Winners will be drawn throughout the evening for cash, amusement park tickets, sporting event tickets and summer items including coolers and grills.
by Ayres Ratliff, for Northfield Park