Northfield Park
Location
Northfield Park is located 15 miles southeast of downtown Cleveland, Ohio, USA on Route 8 (Northfield Road), off the Forbes Road exit of I-271.
Northfield Park is widely acknowledge as one of the Cleveland area's top sports and entertainment venues.
Northfield Park is the only racetrack in the world with its own Microbrewery.
The brewery is just one aspect of a $10 million renovation project that began in early 1997 and culminated in its June 1998 grand opening.
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Exciting Events at Northfield Park
Among the major events annually held at Northfield Park are:
Major stakes events like the Miller Lite Cleveland Classic, a major stakes event for three year-old pacing colts, and the Courageous Lady, an event for 3-year old pacing fillies.
The Battle for Lake Erie, a highly-anticipated annual tourney that has been been held for almost two decades now.
Northfield Park History
First constructed by Chicago mobster Al Capone in 1934, the track, 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, Northfield Park.
In 1984, the track's owners spent nearly $20,000,000 to renovate the facility, elevating it to a position of prominence within the industry. The glass-enclosed, climate-controlled grandstand and adjacent clubhouse, together, can seat over 5,800 people.
Bolstered by favorable state tax adjustments, these upgrades paved the way for continuous year-round harness racing beginning in 1985, a hallmark that continues to distinguish Northfield Park today. Throughout this era, the track built a reputation as a reliable, blue-collar racing venue, known for deep fields, consistent nightly programs, and strong wagering appeal.
A new phase began in 2013 with the opening of Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park, which reshaped the property into a full racino. The introduction of video lottery gaming, expanded dining options, and live entertainment generated significant new revenue and helped stabilize purses for harness racing. This evolution marked Northfield Park's shift from a traditional race track to a broader entertainment destination while preserving its racing foundation. In 2019, the facility was rebranded under MGM Resorts International as MGM Northfield Park, further elevating its national presence.
In recent years, Northfield Park has remained an important fixture in North American harness racing. It continues to host prominent stakes events such as the Battle of Lake Erie, Carl Milstein Memorial Pace, and Cleveland Classic, and has been the site of numerous world and track records, particularly on its half-mile oval.
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Northfield Park Records
| PACERS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half-mile Distance | ||||
| Date | Horse Name | Driver | Category | Time |
| June 5, 2021 | This Is The Plan | Yannick Gingras | Aged Pacing Gelding | 1:47.3 |
| June 7, 2025 | Ken Hanover | Brett Miller | Aged Pacing Horse | 1:48.3 |
| August 12, 2023 | Seven Colors | Dexter Dunn | 3-Year-Old Pacing Colt | 1:48.1 |
| August 14, 2021 | Ocean Rock | Dan Noble | 4-Year-Old Pacing Gelding | 1:48.1 |
| August 13, 2022 | Bythemissal | Chris Page | 3-Year-Old Pacing Gelding | 1:48.4 |
| August 14, 2021 | Charlie May | Brett Miller | 3-Year-Old Pacing Gelding | 1:48.4 |
| June 18, 2022 | Ellagator | Aaron Merriman | Aged Pacing Mare | 1:49.3 |
| December 4, 2021 | Drama Act | Ronnie Wrenn Jr. | 4-Year-Old Pacing Mare | 1:50.1 |
| August 24, 2019 | Ocean Rock | Dan Noble | 2-Year-Old Pacing Gelding | 1:51.1 |
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| TROTTERS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half-mile Distance | ||||
| Date | Horse Name | Driver | Category | Time |
| August 14, 2021 | Weslynn Quest | Aaron Merriman | Aged Trotting Mare | 1:50.4 |
| May 21, 2023 | Tequila Talkin | Chris Lems | Aged Trotting Gelding | 1:51.3 |
| May 14, 2023 | Caviar Gold | Aaron Merriman | 4-Year-Old Trotting Gelding | 1:52.1 |
| August 12, 2023 | John Dutton | Brett Miller | 3-Year-Old Trotting Gelding | 1:52.2 |
| June 10, 2023 | Jet Hill | Ronnie Wrenn Jr. | 3-Year-Old Trotting Gelding | 1:52.2 |
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Top 5 Winningest Drivers at Northfield Park
- Aaron Merriman - The undisputed all-time winningest driver at Northfield Park, Merriman leads the track's driver standings by a commanding margin. He has captured the dash title almost every year for more than a decade, including 2025, when he posted an extraordinary 578 wins, more than doubling the total of his nearest rival. With thousands of victories on the half-mile oval, multiple seasons surpassing 700 to 1,000 total wins-largely earned at Northfield - and more than 17,000 career victories overall, he ranks third on the all-time North American harness racing win list. Renowned for his aggressive, front-end driving style, Merriman has guided countless stakes winners and record-setting performances at the track.
- Chris Lems - A long-time mainstay in the Northfield driver colony, Lems consistently finishes near the top of the standings and often ends the season as runner-up. In 2025, he placed second with 281 wins, continuing a trend of strong, high-volume seasons. Effective with both pacers and trotters, Lems is respected for his sharp race tactics, patience, and reliability on Ohio's highly competitive harness racing circuit.
- Justin Irvine - Frequently ranked among the leading drivers at Northfield, Irvine finished third in the 2025 standings with 249 victories. Coming from a well-established harness racing family, he has carved out a successful career of his own through steady production, high-percentage drives, and consistent success in both overnight races and stakes events at the half-mile track.
- Kurt Sugg - A familiar name in the upper tier of the standings, Sugg claimed fourth place in 2025 with 240 wins and has been a regular top-five finisher across multiple seasons. Known for his adaptability, he excels in winning with a wide range of horses and has proven especially effective in Northfield's challenging open and conditioned classes.
- Ronnie Wrenn Jr. - Widely regarded as one of Ohio's elite drivers, Wrenn routinely places among Northfield's top five, including strong finishes in recent seasons such as 2024. He has piloted numerous track record-setters at Northfield, including standout performers like Jet Hill, and has enjoyed significant Grand Circuit success elsewhere. Despite his national résumé, Wrenn remains a consistent presence at Northfield, posting high win totals and earning praise for his ability to handle top-caliber horses.