Northfield: Bythemissal, It’s Academic lead stellar Saturday undercard

Former Ohio Sires Stakes champions Bythemissal and It's Academic will headline the Myron Charna President's Pace and Tom Aldrich President's Trot, respectively, on a stacked undercard leading up to the $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial on Saturday (August 12) evening at MGM Northfield Park.

Battling sickness through much of the mid-part of the year, Bythemissal enters Saturday's $100,000 Myron Charna President's Pace following a dominating 1:47 1/5 performance in the Sam McKee Memorial at The Meadowlands.

The 2022 Ohio Horse of the Year won the $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial at age 3 and has shown no signs of slowing down for owners Burke Racing Stable, Eric Good, Rich Lombardo Racing LLC and Weaver Bruscemi.

"He is one of the fastest horses I have ever had," said the sport's leading trainer Ron Burke about the talented son of world-champion Downbytheseaside.

Bred in Allentown, NJ by Stephen Dey III, Bythemissal was purchased by the ownership group in April of his 3-year-old season. He is the most accomplished son of Dam Dismissal, who did most of her winning on the east coast. Burke, who has won just about everything there is to win in the sport of harness racing, will be looking for his third Myron Charna President's Pace.

Taking on Bythemissal are Feelin Western, Odds On Shaggy, Odds On Capitalism, Fearful Intent, Shane Falco, Risenshine Seaside, Sectionline Bigry and One Last Laugh.

It's Academic has yet to miss the board in his 6-year-old season and like Bythemissal, shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

A runner-up in last year's $100,000 Tom Aldrich President's Trot, It's Academic enters Saturday on a four-race win streak, including victories in the Crawford Farms, Spirit of Massachusetts and John Cashman Memorial.

"He just wants to win," said Burke. "He is as gutsy as they come and has a lot of heart."

Owned by Bradley Grant, the son of Uncle Peter has won multiple stakes throughout his storied career. With a lifetime mark of 1:50 1/5, he has earned $1,776,096 through 28 victories in 75 starts.

"They are the best two Ohio-bred horses ever," said Burke

It's Academic will take on Joggingtothebank, Pappardelle, Refined, Caviar Gold, The Mighty Hill, Smoking Jet, Longshot and Guido Di

Burke won the $100,000 Tom Aldrich President's Trot in 2022 with Smoking Jet.

The card also includes three featured wagers, a $30,000 estimated All-Stakes Pick-4 beginning in Race 8, a $10,000 guaranteed late Pick-4 beginning in Race 12, and a $10,000 guaranteed Super Hi-5 in Race 13. All three wagers feature a low 14% takeout.

Post time on Saturday night is 6:00 PM (EDT).

-edited release (By Michael Carter for MGM Northfield Park)