Whoever came up with the slogan “It All Comes Down to the Breeders Crown” deserves accolades beyond those words as this classic harness racing series has been a defining moment in our sport since 1984. This season is no different as this one night can make or break a career and either make dreams come
The Battle of Lake Erie, the longest running stakes event hosted at MGM Northfield Park, has once again attracted a star-studded cast for its 2021 edition. The $200,000 event, which is carded as the 10th race on Saturday (June 5), features a competitive field of the sport’s best open pacers with a combined 287 victories.
Introducing the 2021 $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie field:
#1 Western Joe - This seven-year-old son of Western Ideal is the 7-2 second choice. Christopher Choate trains this East Coast stalwart and has named Aaron Merriman to drive. Merriman recently notched his 13,000th driving win, is the leading driver in North America, and is Northfield’s all-time winningest driver. Western Joe, who is owned by Anthony Ruggeri and Richard Tosies, is out of the Falcon Seelster mare Ante Fay. Falcon Seelster won the very first Battle of Lake Erie in 1986. Western Joe’s lifetime mark is 1:47.3 with a career bankroll of $821,008.