Coqui Coqui cruises in Northville top pace

The Friday (Jul. 28) harness racing spotlight at Northville Downs was on race five as six-year-old pacing mare Coqui Coqui (Sportswriter – Born Three) and driver Justin Irvine captured the Mares Open Handicap Pace in 1:55.2 by a widening two and three-quarters lengths.

Art McIlmurray and Delightful Summer set sail for the early lead, but Irvine and Coqui Coqui came bounding up to take over before the quarter pole and never looked back. In fact, the mare did it so easily that she drew off in the stretch under wraps. Delightful Summer had to settle for second. Artistic Cut and Jason Merriman closed for third.

It was the 16th career victory for Coqui Coqui who is owned by John Turgliatto and trained by Gerald Malady. The final clocking of 1:55.2 equaled her season’s best.

Driver Drew Neill took the bookends on the card with a driving double.

Racing at The Ville resumes Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 7pm with a 10-race program that features the Open Pace in race eight which includes the return of Northville’s all-time track record holder and third winningest standardbred of all-time Southwind Amazon.

Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night from now until September 30th  with a 7pm 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