Guardian Angel As enters Saturday’s $175,000 Cleveland Trotting Classic at Northfield Park on a three-race winning streak. New York-based driver Jason Bartlett will be reunited with the 5-year-old son of Archangel for the event. “I’m excited that they asked me to go,” said Bartlett. “I was just out there a few weeks ago for the Battle of Lake Erie. They do a great job.” For his part Bartlett, though not behind Guardian Angel As in any of his victories in 2019, has been an integral part of the horse’s racing career. In 2017 Bartlett drove Guardian Angel As for trainer Anette Lorentzon on many occasions throughout the New York Sire Stakes and eventually in the Hambletonian. “I thought he was really sharp that day,” said Bartlett, recalling the Hambo. “He finished with the earplugs in in the first heat and I thought we went into the final fresh.” The final didn’t work out well for Guardian Angel As that August afternoon as he was parked the mile and then became the focus of an inquiry that would inevitably lead to the placing of Perfect Spirit. A lot has changed for Guardian Angel As since his 3-year-old season that was hampered at times by his own misdeeds. “He always had speed,” Bartlett said. “He could get a little anxious.” Bartlett drove Guardian Angel As a few times last year, including a victory in the Open Handicap at Yonkers. “He’s definitely matured a lot,” Bartlett said. That maturity will be called into question on Saturday for sure as Bartlett has the pole position over a half-mile track where horses do get tested. The field includes Marion Marauder (post 5) making only his second start of his 6-year-old season for trainer Paula Wellwood. Marion Marauder has plenty of half-mile track experience as well as a healthy $3.1 million already banked. Scott Zeron will drive Marion Marauder. The Invitational field also includes the streaking Musical Rhythm, who has captured six straight at Woodbine Mohawk Park for trainer Ben Baillargeon. Musical Rhythm drew post six. Pinkman is one of two former Hambletonian winners (Marion Marauder) in the field. The 7-year-old gelding has won just once this year but was a solid second behind Guardian Angel As in the Maxie Lee on May 26 at Harrah’s Philadelphia. Pinkman landed post four with Brett Miller picking up the drive. The Cleveland Trotting Classic has three solid trotting mares with a chance, most notably Weslynn Dancer (post 2), a solid half-mile track performer this year for trainer Rich Banca. The 5-year-old was most recently a solid second behind Atlanta in the Armbro Flight final on June 15. Dave Palone drives Weslynn Dancer. The $1.5 million winning Emoticon Hanover finished fourth in the Armbro Flight and tries to rebound for trainer Luc Blais from post three here. Jody Jamieson will guide the 6-year-old by Kadabra. Rounding out the mares will be Plunge Blue Chip, a top New York Sire Stakes half-mile track performer as a 2 and 3-year-old. Aaron Merriman will have his work cut out from post eight for trainer Ake Svanstedt.