Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Cleveland Classic at Northfield Saturday
14 Enter Three-year-old Pace, Forcing Two $88,760 Divisions

June 16, 2008

Blueridge Western and locally owned Upfront Hannahsboy have been named 2-1 morning line favorites in their respective divisions of Saturday’s Cleveland Classic at Northfield Park. The three-year-old pace is the track’s richest race of the year, with 14 entrants seeking a total purse of $177,520.

The first division, slated as the 10th race, is headed by Ed Mullinax’s Upfront Hannahsboy, fresh off a 1:49.2 stakes record win in the $98,000 North America Cup Consolation June 14. The son of Mullinax’s Dragon Again has drawn the favorable inside post one, but will be challenged by Daley Deposit Only, who is the 7-2 second choice from post two. Richard Lombardo of Solon shares ownership of Daley Deposit Only, who streaked to a fast 1:51.4 win in his New Jersey Classic elimination early in May.

The second split, the night’s 13th race, features Blueridge Western. The richest horse in the field, with earnings over $371,000, he won the $215,000 Berry’s Creek Final at The Meadowlands earlier this year in 1:50.1. He will be challenged by Goddess’s Justin, whose full brother, Michael’s Western, won a division of the race in 2002, and by Northfield regular Western Outfitter, who rides a three-race win streak for his Westlake owner, Matthew Bencic.

The 16-race card features a special 6:45 PM first post time, with the Cleveland Classic heats scheduled for approximately 9:45 and 10:45 PM. Supported by Ohio Sires Stakes for three-year-old filly pacers and trotters, total purses for the night are $369,620, the highest of the year at the Route Eight harness track.