The 25th Annual $100,000 Battle of Lake Erie is Saturday, July 3
$100,000 Battle of Lake Erie to Hypnotic Blue Chip
1:49.4 Win Equals All-age Track Record
Francis Azur’s Hypnotic Blue Chip ($8.60) won Saturday’s $100,000 Battle of Lake Erie with a track-record equaling 1:49.4 effort. He defeated Won The West by five lengths, with favored Foiled Again, who set the fractions, finishing third.
Foiled Again and Dave Palone battled Pilgrims Toner for the early lead and took the field to the quarter in 26 seconds. Pilgrims Toner backed off and Foiled Again hit the half in 54 second, but driver Jody Jamieson had Hypnotic Blue Chip underway. By the three-quarter pole, the pair were on even terms, and Hypnotic Blue Chip put the favorite away with a 27.4 final panel. Kevin McDermott trains Hypnotic Blue Chip, a four-year-old son of Art Major.
In addition to the track record, the mile equals the fastest ever on a half-mile commercial racetrack and equals the fastest at night on a twice-around mile.
Diane Dylong won $10,000 when her assigned horse, Unknown Solider, won the George Verban Memorial in 1:52.2. She as one of nine finalists who were selected in a number of ways. DeLong qualified with a winning Mystery Ticket she received in the mail. Vice President of Marketing and Customer Relations Bill Seese and Executive Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting Dave Bianconi made the check presentation.
Defending Champ Foiled Again Favored in $100,000 Battle of Lake Erie
Draws Rail In Northfield Park’s Premier Event
Defending Battle of Lake Erie champ Foiled Again drew the rail for Saturday’s 25th edition of the race and has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite by Director of Racing Dave Bianconi. Foiled Again will be driven by Dave Palone, who will be inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame on Sunday. Ron Burke trains the millionaire pacer for owners Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and JJK Stables.
The 7-2 second choice, Pilgrims Toner, drew post three. The only horse owned by trainer Frank Catalfamo and partners Joe Spezio, Patrick Daley and Robert Mills, set an age-group 1:48.2 world record at Pocono Downs on May 29. Won The West, a career winner of $2.4 million, has been installed as the third choice at 4-1. He drew post seven and will be driven by Matt Kakaley, who drove Foiled Again to victory last year. Kakaley is the youngest driver in harness racing history to reach 1,000 wins. Last year’s runner-up, Jeremy’s Successor is 10-1 from post six.
The Battle of Lake Erie is the 12th race on a14 race-card that includes Ohio Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing and trotting fillies. First race post time is 7:00 PM Eastern, with the Battle of Lake Erie set for about 11:05 PM
$100,000 Battle of Lake Erie 7/3/10
Race 12 Post 11:05 EDT
|
Post
|
Horse
|
Driver
|
Trainer
|
Owner
|
Odds
|
|
1
|
Foiled Again
|
Dave Palone
|
Ron Burke
|
Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, JJK Stables
|
2-1
|
|
2
|
Royalton Star
|
Ryan Stahl
|
Max Shaw
|
Max Shaw
|
15-1
|
|
3
|
Pilgrims Toner
|
Tony Hall
|
Frank Catalfamo
|
J. Spezio, P. Daley, R. Mills & F. Catalfamo
|
7-2
|
|
4
|
Hypnotic Blue Chip
|
Jody Jamieson
|
Kevin McDermott
|
Francis Azur
|
6-1
|
|
5
|
Cammabis
|
Mike Micallef
|
Paul Holzman
|
Melvin Fink
|
20-1
|
|
6
|
Jeremy’s Successor
|
Chris Page
|
Dean Eckley
|
Andrea Ann Hill
|
10-1
|
|
7
|
Won The West
|
Matt Kakaley
|
Ron Burke
|
Strollin Stable, Wm. Robinson & James Koehler
|
4-1
|
|
8
|
Corky Baran
|
Greg Grismore
|
Jean Drolet
|
S. Schneider & W. Siegel
|
12-1
|
Video Bonuses:
The 2007 Battle of Lake Erie
The 2008 Battle of Lake Erie Josh Kash discusses the 2008 Battle
Battle of Lake Erie History
Year
|
Winner
|
Driver
|
Odds
|
Favorite
|
Fave Odds
|
Time
|
Field $$
|
Purse
|
|
86
|
Falcon Seelster
|
Harmer
|
2-5
|
same
|
Same
|
1:55.2
|
??
|
$50,000
|
|
87
|
Quite A Sensation
|
Trevor Ritchie
|
2.9-1
|
same
|
Same
|
1:55.1
|
$3.90
|
$50,000
|
|
88
|
Jaguar Spur
|
Dick Stillings
|
6-5
|
same
|
Same
|
1:54.4
|
$4.10
|
$100,000
|
|
89
|
Jaguar Spur
|
Dick
Stillings
|
3-5
|
same
|
Same
|
1:54.3
|
$6.70
|
$100,000
|
|
|
(when Matts Scooter was disqualified for interference)
|
|
|
|
$100,000
|
|
90
|
Dorunrun Bluegrass
|
Herve Filion
|
2-5
|
same
|
Same
|
1:54.0
|
$3.50
|
$100,000
|
|
91
|
Dare You To
|
Pete Wrenn
|
22-1
|
DRR Bluegrass
|
1.4-1
|
1:53.1
|
$6.40
|
$100,000
|
|
92
|
Odds Against
|
Mike LaChance
|
6-5
|
same
|
Same
|
1:53.1
|
$6.00
|
$100,000
|
|
93
|
Cambest
|
W.Hennessey
|
6-5
|
same
|
Same
|
1:52.3
|
$5.30
|
$100,000
|
|
94
|
Arrive At Five
|
John Campbell
|
3-5
|
same
|
same
|
1:51.4
|
$5.40
|
$100,000
|
|
95
|
Lusty Leader
|
Joe Essig, Jr.
|
8.2-1
|
Pacific Rocket
|
.8-1
|
1:54.2
|
$5.10
|
$100,000
|
|
96
|
Riyadh
|
Jim Morrill, Jr.
|
4-5
|
same
|
Same
|
1:52.1
|
$6.30
|
$100,000
|
|
97
|
Village Connection
|
Luc Oullette
|
1-1
|
same
|
Same
|
1:53.3
|
$4.70
|
$100,000
|
|
98
|
Western Dreamer
|
Stephane Bouchard
|
3-5
|
same
|
Same
|
1:52.4
|
$5.40
|
$100,000
|
|
99
|
BJ's Whirlwind
|
David. Miller
|
1-1
|
same
|
Same
|
1:51.0
|
$5.40
|
$150,000
|
|
00
|
Dragon Again
|
John
Campbell
|
2-5
|
same
|
Same
|
1:51.0
|
$5.50
|
$150,000
|
|
01
|
Gallo Blue Chip
|
Walter Case, Jr.
|
4-5
|
same
|
Same
|
1:51.0
|
$6.40
|
$150,000
|
|
02
|
Peruvian Hanover
|
Ron Pierce
|
9-5
|
same
|
Same
|
1:52.2
|
$7.40
|
$150,000
|
|
03
|
Peruvian Hanover
|
Jim Pantaleano
|
9.7-1
|
Art Major
|
.4-1
|
1:51.3
|
$11.75
|
$150,000
|
|
04
|
Royal Mattjesty
|
Stephane Bouchard
|
2-1
|
Allamerican Captor
|
1.3-1
|
1:51.0
|
$5.46
|
$125,000
|
|
05
|
Maltese Artist
|
Brett Miller
|
1.00
|
Same
|
Same
|
1:51.2
|
$3.77
|
$125,000
|
|
06
|
Buckeye One
|
Dan
Clements
|
31-1
|
Spirit Of A Shark
|
1.3-1
|
1:51.2
|
$6.40
|
$125,000
|
|
07
|
Maltese Artist
|
Brett Miller
|
6-1
|
Gold Dust Beach
|
8-5
|
1:49.4
|
$4.92
|
$125,000
|
|
08
|
Bono Bests
|
K. Kash, Jr.
|
9-2
|
Tigerama
|
1-5
|
1:52.2(SL)
|
$4.72
|
$100,000
|
|
09
|
Foiled Again
|
Matt Kakaley
|
3-5
|
Same
|
Same
|
1:50.4
|
$3.45
|
$100,000
|
|
10
|
Hypnotic Blue Chip
|
Jody Jamieson
|
3-1
|
Foiled Again
|
1-2
|
1:49.4
|
$6.7
|
$100,000
|