Northfield: Big fractions set up All Bets Off to bag Battle Of Lake Erie

Venerable campaigner All Bets Off took advantage of some crazy fractions set by Luck Be Withyou to win the $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie for open pacers on Saturday night at Northfield Park in a track record 1:49 2/5 clocking.

Luck Be Withyou was sent straight to the front by driver Aaron Merriman, and he logged an amazing first-half of 26 and 52 4/5, leading by five lengths at the opening quarter and 7 1/2 lengths at the half. Three-quarters was swift as well at 1:20 3/5, but All Bets Off (Matt Kakaley) had chopped the lead down to 3 1/2 lengths at that point and continued his gain on the far turn, putting his body in front of Luck Be Withyou.

Just when it looked like Luck Be Withyou was ready to call it a night, he battled back on the inside to put a scare into All Bets Off as they turned for home, but he couldn't sustain it, with All Bets Off going on to win by 2 1/4 lengths. Rockin Ron (Ryan Stahl) and Sunfire Blue Chip (Mark MacDonald), who were seventh and eighth at the opening quarter, were up to finish third and fourth, with Guantanamo Bay (Vince Ginsburg) completing the top five.

"I just got away fourth," relayed Kakaley. "I figured Aaron was gonna rock and roll; I know how that horse likes to do it. I didn't want to take a chance with him not letting me go or me not finding a hole, so I was just going to get away and cross my fingers.

"I moved him over and he made a good brush. I thought I was going to pace right by Aaron's horse to be honest with you, but his horse raced great."

Ron Burke trains All Bets Off, a 6-year-old Bettor's Delight stallion, for the ownership group of Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Frank Baldachino, and The Panhellenic Stb Corp. This was All Bets Off's 25th lifetime win, and he has now earned $2,372,503. Sent off as the even-money favorite, All Bets Off paid $4.20 to win.