Dead heat is fastest in Northville history

The 20-year-old harness racing track record for the fastest ever dead heat on the pace at the distance of a mile at Northville Downs fell on Friday night (Aug. 11) as Shes Cruising Home (Net Ten Eom – Cruisin in Pink) and Juxta Cowgirl (Relentless Yankee – Juxtaposition) dead-heated for the win in the featured $9,500 Mares Open Pace in a final clocking of 1:54.4.

Both mares left for the early lead and settled one-two with Juxta Cowgirl leading and Shes Cruising Home in the pocket as Princesa Alta sat parked the entire mile pressing the top pair to a quarter in 27.3 seconds, a half-mile in 56.1 and three-quarters timed in 1:24.1. As they worked into the stretch, Princess Alta tired a bit after her long journey. Shes Cruising Home slid up the lightning lane taking a shot at the leader Juxta Cowgirl but could only get even with the early leader to settle for a dead heat. Princesa Alta managed to hang on for third.

Shes Cruising Home won for the 32nd time in her career. She is co-owned by Becky Zubkoff and Erik Chappell, is trained by Becky Zubkoff and was driven by Drew Neill. Juxta Cowgirl won for the 54th time in her career, is owned by Rick Howles and trained and driven by Art McIlmurray.

The previous track record was set back on December 27, 2003 by Blue Oxfords (Brad Kramer) and Bayside Hall (Larry Stalbaum) in 1:56.1.

Driver Jason Merriman had a driving triple on the night and is now just seven wins away from career driving win number 3000. Kody Massey had a driving double on the evening.

Racing at The Ville resumes Saturday (Aug 12) at 7 p.m. and features an 11 race program.  Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night until Sept. 30 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.

by Ken Terpenning, for Northville Downs