Charlie May headlines Carl Milstein Memorial
At 3h53, on August 11, 2021 • By NORTHFIELD PARK
Charlie May has been named the 5-2 morning line favorite in Saturday’s (Aug. 14) $300,000 Carl Milstein Memorial at MGM Northfield Park. The Buckeye-bred monster headlines an accomplished group of nine 3-year-old pacers in Northfield Park’s premier event.
The Milstein, an invitational event, is slated as race 10 on a 16-race program, with purses more than $918,000. First-race post time is 6 p.m.
Charlie May enters the Milstein as the top money earner in the field, despite being disqualified for interference after crossing the finish line first in the $700,000 Meadowlands Pace last month. Since that disqualification, he has scored two straight wins against Ohio-breds, one being at Northfield. The Steve Carter trainee has banked $578,477 in purses throughout his young career but drew post seven in Saturday’s main event for owner Don Tiger. Charlie May’s regular pilot, Brett Miller, will drive.
Water Sports Teen drew post two and is the 3-1 second choice. He has won four of his last five races, getting passed in the stretch in the $375,000 Adios at The Meadows in his most recent race. He has finished in the top three in 13 of 17 races this year, with eight victories. His 1:48.2 mark is the fastest in the race and has earned $133,696 this year for owner Joshua Graber. Joe Bongiorno will drive for his sister, trainer Jenn Bongiorno.
Heart of Chewbacca, 2019 Ohio Sires Stakes runner-up to Charlie May, drew post nine and is the 9-2 third choice. Heart of Chewbacca has won 10 of 17 career efforts and has earned $329,023. Harness racing’s all-time leading trainer, Ron Burke, conditions this colt for Ohio owners Dennis Owens and Norman Rae Racing LLC. Dan Noble will drive.
Canadian standout Bettor Sun (Douglas McNair, 8-1). Indiana heavy-hitter Rockin On Venus (Ronnie Wrenn Jr., 10-1), Minnesota phenom Alilthundadownunda (Ronnie Wrenn Jr., 20-1), and stakes veterans Bayfield Beach (Yannick Gingras, 6-1), Mysweetboymax (Aaron Merriman, 12-1) and Chase H Hanover (Brian Sears, 15-1) are also slated starters in the impressive field.
