Kakaley wins feature dedicated to his grandmother

Some More Prince (Rosemont Principal – S’more) and harness racing driver Matt Kakaley captured the first ever $8,000 Barb Kakaley Memorial Trot at Northville Downs Friday night (Nov. 10) in 1:57.3.

Matt Kakaley grew up on the backstretch at Northville Downs with his grandmother Barb Kakaley, who was everyone’s favorite person around the Michigan oval over the years. In a first of Matt’s career, he took to Northville Friday night to drive on the program and after three fifth place finishes to start out the night, Matt found the front with David Lake trainee Some More Prince for owner David Beachy and the duo never looked back to go on to win the race named in honor of Matt’s grandmother, by eight emphatic lengths in 1:57.3. Little Jedi closed well for second and Stoneborough finished third.

The win was the 31st of Some More Prince’s career and for Matt Kakaley it marked his 6,350th career driving win.

In the winner’s circle, surrounded by a huge part of the Kakaley clan, Matt expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be able to drive at Northville before the track closes. He added, “It means so much to be able to drive at the place I ran around at as a kid and to win this race in honor of my grandmother is special.” Barb Kakaley was known to so many as Matt’s number one fan, so, special it was indeed.

SOME MORE PRINCE REPLAY

The $9,500 F&M Open Pace was won in wire-to-wire fashion by Juxta Cowgirl (Relentless Yankee – Juxtaposition) and driver/trainer Art McIlmurray for owner Rick Howles. Juxta Cowgirl held off a late passing lane surge by Artistic Cut (Artspeak  – Paper Cut) and Jason Merriman who settled for second and Danikova and Justin Irvine finished third. The win was the 55th of Juxta Cowgirl’s career as she stopped the timer in 1:57.0.

JUXTA COWGIRL REPLAY

The $9,500 Open Trot was also won in wire-to-wire fashion by Travlin Swan (Swan For All – Kandys Kid) for driver/trainer Art McIlmurray and owner Staci Malady in a time of 1:57.0. It was the 25th career win for the seven-year-old gelding. Rose Run Vincent finished second in the race and Marvin Hagler was placed third after a pylon violation moved Castyourcrown from third to fourth.

TRAVLIN SWAN REPLAY

Driver/trainer Art McIlmurray had a hat trick on the night, as did driver Jason Merriman, while driver Matt Kakaley had a driving double. Trainers David Lake and Brian Downing had training doubles as well.

Racing at The Ville resumes Saturday (Nov 11) at 7 p.m. with a 9-race program on-tap.

Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night through November 25 with a 7 p.m. post time. For live racing dining reservations, be sure to call Northville Downs in advance at 248.924.2073.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Ken Terpenning, for Northville Downs