Northfield: Guardian Angel AS favored in Saturday's Cleveland Trotting Classic

Northeast Ohio’s premier trotting race, the Cleveland Trotting Classic, will go to post Saturday (June 29) at MGM Northfield Park. This will be the fifth edition of the Classic and it carries a purse of $175,000.

The Grand Circuit event has again attracted the best veteran trotters in North America. It has been slated as the 12th event on a 16-race program. First race post time is 6 PM.

Guardian Angel AS drew the rail and has been named the 2-1 morning line favorite by Northfield Park Executive Vice President of Racing and Simulcasting Dave Bianconi. The favored trotter tries to deny last year’s winner, Marion Marauder’s attempt at defending his title.

Guardian Angel AS goes to the gate in Saturday’s feature, putting his three-race win streak on the line. His trio of wins includes the $100,000 Maxie Lee Invitational at Harrah’s Philadelphia. Trainer Annette Lorentzon calls upon Yonkers standout Jason Bartlett to drive.

Marion Marauder, winner of the 2018 Cleveland Trotting Classic, drew post 5 and has been named the 7-2 second choice. The 6-ear-old attempts to be a repeat a triumph in this event and looks to add to add to his $3.1 million bankroll for trainer Paula Wellwood. Marion Marauder, the 2016 Trotting Triple Crown champion, will be handled by Canadian superstar Scott Zeron.

Local driving standouts Aaron Merriman and Ronnie Wrenn, Jr have both received assignments in this year’s field. Wrenn, begins from post 6 with Canadian sensation Musical Rhythm, a winner of six consecutive races and almost $700,000 in earnings. Merriman drives Plunge Blue Chip from the 8-hole. This trotter has over $1 million in earnings and carries a 1:49 4/5 lifetime mark, the fastest in the race.

The 2019 $175,000 Cleveland Trotting Classic field:

Post Horse Driver Trainer M/L
1 Guardian Angel As Jason Bartlett Annette Lorentzon 2-1
2 Weslynn Dancer Dave Palone Richard Banca 6-1
3 Emoticon Hanover Jody Jamieson Luc Blais 8-1
4 Pinkman Brett Miller Per Engblom 4-1
5 Marion Marauder Scott Zeron Paula Wellwood 7-2
6 Musical Rhythm Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. Benoit Baillargeon 10-1
7 Dayson Chris Page Ron Burke 15-1
8 Plunge Blue Chip Aaron Merriman Ake Svanstedt 12-1

This year’s Classic program undercard is highlighted by two $50,000 Ohio Sires Stakes divisions for sophomore pacing colts, three $25,000 late closer series finals, and two Open events. A $10,000 guaranteed Pick-4 pool begins in race 11. Three of the four races in the guaranteed Pick 4 are comprised of the Opens and the Trotting Classic.

-edited release (Northfield)