Ruthless Hanover headlines $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie at MGM Northfield Park

Fresh off his world-record 1:46.3 performance in the $100,000 Joe Auger Memorial at Harrah’s Philadelphia, Ruthless Hanover will look to extend his win streak to three on Saturday (June 10) in the $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie at MGM Northfield Park.

The 2023 edition is one of the strongest fields in recent history.

“Top-to-bottom, this might be the deepest field in Battle of Lake Erie history,” said Dave Bianconi, Director of Racing Operations at MGM Northfield Park. “There was tremendous interest in the race from the connections of almost all of the sport’s best veteran pacers. I had to turn away a number of horses that were worthy of an invitation this year.”

Installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite in the 37th renewal of Northfield’s most storied stakes event, Ruthless Hanover has reeled off two straight victories since missing by a head in the Pace Baby Pace Invitational at Miami Valley Gaming.

“He wasn’t at his peak at Miami Valley, but I was still very happy with his performance,” said trainer Tom Cancelliere. “He gives his all in every start.”

The Battle of Lake Erie will be the first start over a half-mile track for Ruthless Hanover, something Cancelliere says shouldn’t be an issue.

“He trains over a five-eighths and really likes the mile track. I think he will handle the half just fine.”

Regular reinsman George Napolitano Jr. will make his first ever trip to Northfield Park to drive Ruthless Hanover.