For more information on items in Keeping Pace, contact Keith Gisser at 330-467-4101x215, or by e-mail at info@northfieldpark.com.
KEEPING PACE with Keith Gisser
November 16, 2009
SUPPLEMENTAL CINDERELLA STORY? Sold to an Amish horseman in Maine for $700 earlier this year, three-year-old pacer Go Go Solano’s current connections are considering supplementing him to the $175,000 Cleveland Classic at Northfield on Saturday, November 28. In his last start, the $350,000 Progress Pace at Dover Downs, Go Go Solano finished second after taking the lead and then getting shuffled back before rallying late. Go Go Solano was sold for $54,000 at a New Jersey sale, and after racing in Canada, was purchased by Pat Rizzo and Solon resident Richard Lombardo for about $100,000 in late August. The son of Bettors Delight now shows a 2009 summary of 11 starts-6 wins-5-seconds, with $291,998 in the bank. His lifetime mark of 1:51 was taken at Vernon Downs in New York. Supplemental entries, for horses not previously nominated to the race, cost $15,000.
OTHER CLASSIC STUFF- Classic hopeful Bob Watts had a rough night at Northfield Saturday. Sent off as the 3-5 favorite in a $5,000 Open Pace, he made a break leaving the gate and was never a factor… The Cleveland Classic features a $40,000 Mystery Tote Voucher night, with preferred patrons receiving betting vouchers which may be redeemed between 6 and 10 PM on November 28… Lady Luck’s Clubhouse Restaurant is rapidly filling up for Cleveland Classc night, but tables are still available by calling 330-467-4101, or e-mailing reservations@northfieldpark.com… A pair of Classic hopefuls raced Saturday at Balmoral Park, near Chicago, in the $265,000 American National. Sheer Desire finished third, grinding out a first-over trip to challenge Standupnkissme, who also appears Classic-bound. Standupnkissme tired late, finishing fifth.
IT’S A SPECIAL TIME OF YEAR- There are specials galore at Northfield this time of year. This Saturday, November 21, is the special $29.99 per couple Autumn Buffet in Lady Luck’s, featuring hand-carved prime rib and turkey, additional entrees, a huge salad bar and a delectable dessert table… There is a special early simulcast opening Friday, November 20, with wagering action, including Calder, Aqueduct and Churchill Downs, starting just before 12:30… Every Sunday through Thursday, the track is open for noon simulcasting with $2.00 draft beer and concession food specials… Northfield has a special live night of racing scheduled for Sunday, December 20, and a $29.99 per couple holiday buffet is on tap in Lady Luck’s that night…The day before, Saturday, December 19, is the $70,000 Santa Sack Customer Appreciation Night.
PLAYING WITH THE CLUB- Northfield Player’s Club members get a $10 early-bird match play coupon each day, Sunday through Thursday, if they sign-in between noon and 2 PM. The match play promotion continues through the end of the year… The next Player’s Club Rewards mailing is set for December 1, when an estimated $80,000 in betting vouchers will be sent to qualifying club members… A Player’s Club Appreciation Day, with giveaways, promotional pricing and more, is scheduled for Sunday, December 6… Patrons can join the Player’s Club instantly in order to qualify for these special events, as well as discounts in Lady Luck’s and the track gift shop.
KEEPING PACE with Keith Gisser
November 9, 2009
CALLING GENE RAYBURN AND RICHARD DAWSON- The former hosts of TV’s Match Game would love Northfield Park’s latest promotion…a free $10 match play wager offer good every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from noon to 2 PM. Players Club members simply sign in at the registration table and receive their $10 match play coupon. Non-members can join on the spot to be eligible. The promotion begins Sunday, November 15, and runs through the end of 2009. That could mean $50 a week in free wagers and up to $350 by the end of the year!
CLEVELAND, CLASSICALLY SPEAKING- Northfield’s $175,000 Cleveland Classic for three-year-old pacing colts is Saturday, November 28, and while Sheer Desire heads the list of 39 nominees, a number of solid sophomore colts are eligible to the stake. Ohio bred Standupnkissme, now owned by Francis Azur, has earned $200,000 lifetime and would be a major player. Sheer Desire took some time off in October but has won two straight qualifiers at the Meadows, the most recent on November 6. Steve Carter has a pair of possibles in Bob Watts, a 1:52.2 winner at the Delaware (OH) Fair, and Really Rockin. Retired Amherst auto dealer Ed Mullinax has five Classic eligible colts. Entries are due Wednesday, November 25 by 9 AM for the track’s richest race of the year
PROMOTIONS GALORE- The Cleveland Classic features a $40,000 Mystery Tote Voucher night, with preferred patrons receiving betting vouchers which may be redeemed between 6 PM and 10 PM on November 28… Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 25, is an Ohio Lottery Pick 3 Trifecta Night, with a free lottery ticket to all patrons in attendance and multiple chances to win $50 each race… Friday, November 20 is a special early simulcast opening which features $2 food and draft beer specials (more below)…Instant Win Monday debuted on November 2, with mailing list patrons redeeming coupons for a chance to win prizes ranging from $2 to $2,000. R. Albert was the big winner last week, drawing a voucher worth $100… The track’s annual Santa Sack customer appreciation night (Saturday, December 19) is valued at $70,000 this year, $20K more than usual. The additional value comes thanks to the top prize, a brand new Chevy Silverado Pickup truck.
HUNGRY MAN DINNER- Lady Luck’s Clubhouse Restaurant has a pair of special buffets upcoming. Priced at $29.99 per couple, the Harvest Buffet, featuring hand-carved prime rib and turkey, salad bar, dessert table and additional entrees and sides, is Saturday, November 21, while a similar Holiday Buffet is scheduled for a special live race night on Sunday, December 20… Humble scribe has had a chance to sample a number of the rotating $2 concession specials offered on our noon simulcast days, and the Coney Dogs, pulled pork sandwiches and Sloppy Joes are all first rate. Gotta work on permission to sample the $2 draft beer special, strictly in the interest of reporting back to KP’s faithful readers, of course.
KEEPING PACE with Keith Gisser
October 26, 2009
CALENDAR TURNING- Time to review Northfield’s changing schedule as we head into November. Most importantly, live Wednesday racing, with our traditional 7 PM Eastern first race post, returns on Wednesday, November 4… In November and December the track opens at noon for simulcasting Sunday through Thursday, with $2 16 oz. draft beer and other concession specials all day and all night… The track continues to open at 3 PM for simulcasting on Fridays and Saturday, with the exception of Friday, November 20, when there is a special noon simulcast opening… The $180,000 Cleveland Classic for three-year-old pacing colts is Saturday, November 28… A live race night has been added on Sunday, December 20. You can stay updated on all the dates and times by heading to www.northfieldpark.com.
PROMOTIONALLY SPEAKING- Cleveland Classic is a $40,000 Mystery Tote Ticket Night for Northfield mail list patrons… Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, November 25, Northfield partners with the Ohio Lottery to present Pick Three/Trifecta Night, with free lottery tickets and multiple chances to win $50 on every race… Every Wednesday in November Friends Are Free: Any Players Club member who brings a non-member to the track gets buy-one, get-one free specials all day and night. The offer includes food, programs, television carrels and more… Players Club members are also eligible for Instant Win Mondays by bringing in coupons from their October mailer. By redeeming those coupons, they can win up to $2,000, as well as other cash, food and merchandise prizes… Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, December 20 (that special live race night, remember?), Lady Luck’s Clubhouse Restaurant features special $29.99 per couple themed buffets. The November special carries an autumn theme, while December’s hook is a holiday buffet — but don’t worry, there won’t be any fruitcake!
LET’S GO CLUBBING- As detailed above, more and more Northfield promotions are tailored to our thousands of Players Club members. Members receive rewards based on their wagers and numerous other benefits, including dining and gift shop discounts. To get the whole story on the Players Club and its benefits, just log on to www.northfieldpark.com/page.aspx?PageID=/wagering/players_club… The next Players reward mailing will take place just after Thanksgiving, and a Players Club appreciation day is scheduled for Sunday, December 6, with free match play wagers, prize drawings, free programs, food and drink specials and more.
THIS N THAT- Northfield horsemen are actively involved in a benefit raffle for Justin Hall, a trainer-driver who was involved in a serious racing accident this summer. Tickets will be available at the Big Dee’s booth at both the Harrisburg and Delaware November horse sales. Locally Wall-of-Famer Clair Umholtz is spearheading the ticket sales… With 17 wins, Daryl Sherman’s trotter, Krissy K, is the most successful horse at Northfield this year, and she is just one win behind Chinnys Wings for the national lead among trotters.
KEEPING PACE with Keith Gisser
October 5, 2009
A NOC ON THE BOYS- Saturday’s Night of Champions saw a new divisional track and world record as Richard Owings’ Bookem ($3.60) trotted in 1:57.2, fastest ever by a two-year-old trotting gelding, in his $15,400 Championship. Aaron Merriman drove the winning son of Iloolikemymom… The Mantacular gelding Major Degree ($11.80) took the $15,000 freshman colt pace for owner-trainer John Oliverio, in line to Matt Kakaley… The Pegasus Spur-sired V Squared ($3.40) won his sixth straight, taking the $15,400 three-year-old colt trot for Scott Robinson, trainer Buck Hollar, and Kakaley in 1:58… The $15,000 three-year-old colt pace went to 5-1 Osborne’s Yankee (Yankee Cruiser- Myopia’s Mop) in 1:55. He is owned by Northfield Wall-of-Famer Jerome T. Osborne, of Mentor, trained by Eric Hamlet, and driven by Ryan Stahl.
FANTASTIC FILLY ANTICS- The Night of Champions began with the two-year-old filly trot, carrying a $15,000 purse, and Jeff Conger’s Anastasia Whinnie ($2.40) picked up a lifetime best 1:59.1 win, six seconds better than her previous best. Ryan Stahl drove the daughter of Full Count… The sophomore filly trot, worth $15,400, went to even-money favorite Rose Run Keepsake, who overcame the outside post eight for driver Dan Noble, trainer Tom Blankenship and owner Ronald Bates. She is a daughter of Armbro Laser... The $14,600 two-year-old filly pace went to Cruisin N Surfin, owned by D&K Stables. Trainer Bill Webb called on Aaron Merriman to drive the daughter of Yankee Cruiser, who posted a 1:57.4 lifetime best mile... Only five three-year-old fillies entered the $13,800 Night of Champions Final, and Herbert Steel Nicholson’s Memphis Flash daughter, Dappers Flash ($3.40), picked up the win in 1:58.1 for driver Wyatt Irvine and trainer John G. Wengerd.
NUMBERS GAME- 5,000... That’s how many dollars were at stake in the final of the Lucky 13 Win/Place Challenge Saturday, and J. Keane of Middleburg Heights. took home the $2,500 1st prize. A. Manoni completed a Middleburgh Heights daily double, finishing second and winning $1,000, while F. Scalia won the $500 third prize. See all the winners at www.northfieldpark.com/page.aspx?PageID=/promotions/upcoming. 34-1... Those were the odds on Expresso Forte in Saturday’s $6,000 Open Pace, but the Rick Mapes-trainee stunned the field in 1:55.1, returning $70.00 for every two dollars wagered on him. Joey Mapes drove Expresso Forte for Cleveland owner Charter Bryant. $29.99... That’s what it will cost for a couple to partake in the special November 14 Harvest Buffet in Lady Luck’s at Northfield Park. Make reservations by calling 330-467-4101. 14... That’s how many races trotting mare Krissy K has won at Northfield this year, the most of any equine competitor. Kent Sherman trains the nine-year-old for his father, Daryl. 354-282=72… Aaron Merriman’s local driving wins, minus Matt Kakaley’s local driving wins, equals Aaron’s lead in the local driver standings. 11-4-2009... That’s the date that Wednesday live racing returns to the Route Eight oval. The five-day live schedule continues into 2010.