Northfield Park

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Northfield Park
Northfield Park

Northfield Park is a harness racing racetrack in Northfield, Ohio, U.S.A., a community near Cleveland. Northfield Park conducts more than 200 race nights each year.

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[edit] History

Originally constructed in 1934, Northfield Park racetrack, then known as Sportsman Park, was intended as a greyhound track. When this plan failed, ownership changed and the focus was switched to midget car racing. After 20 years as a successful car racing facility, interest began to wane and in 1956, Sportsman Park was demolished to make way for what would eventually become one of the nation's premier harness racing tracks under the leadership of Carl Milstein, a well known real estate developer and businessman. Carl Milstein purchased the track in 1972 with New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. [1]


The tracks' top race, The Battle of Lake Erie, has featured some of the greatest pacers in history including Jaguar Spur, Gallo Blue Chip, Falcon Seelster and Riyadh. in 2007, the race was won by World Champion Maltese Artist, driven by Brett Miller in a world record time of 1:49.4 for the mile. Maltese Artist is expected to defend his title in the 23rd edition of the race, scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2008.

[edit] Cedar Downs

Cedar Downs is the only off-track betting parlor in the State of Ohio and is owned and operated by Northfield Park. Cedar Downs is located in Sandusky, Ohio. Northfield purchased the facility, located at the entrance to the Cedar Point Causeway, in the summer of 2005. It had previously been operated by Raceway Park, a Toledo, Ohio, harness track.

[edit] Slot machines

A unsuccessful measure on the Ohio election ballots in November 2006 would have legalized slot machines in Ohio, many of which would be located at racetracks in the state The state legislature is now considering allowing instant racing machines that look like slot machines but actually involve handicapping videos of previous races, with parimutuel wagering. These machines have doubled purses in Arkansas, where they were first developed.[2] Northfield Park's owner Brock Milstein contributed over $500,000 to the campaign to legalize slot machines. [3] [4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ Nordonia Hills Sun - Thursday, October 26, 2006 - Track owner likes his odds with slots - Issue 3 success would mean big-time growth for Northfield Park
  3. ^ Cleveland Plain Dealer - Friday, October 27, 2006 - $18.5 million raised in slots campaigning
  4. ^ Cleveland Plain Dealer, Thursday, November 09, 2006 - Campaign Finances - Show me the money, by Susan Vinella, Plain Dealer Reporter

[edit] External links