Jason Merriman three away from 3,000th

Friday (Sept. 1) night Northville highlights saw four-year-old trotting gelding Saulsgood (Crescent Fashion – Simply Patty) with harness racing driver Jason Merriman win the Open Trot, while Hired Luck (Tellitlikeitis – Lady Luck Killean) piloted by driver/trainer Tyler Miller snagged the Mares Open Pace for the win.

In race six, the Open Trot, early leader Stoneborough and Bart Stimer dictated the early fractions of :28.2, :58.0, 1:27.2 to three-quarters before tiring to fourth as Saulsgood came up the pegs following a pocket ride to win in a final clocking of 1:57.4 by a widening two and a quarter length over runner-up Celebrity Pegasus (Kim Pluta) and third place finisher Crypto Currency (Art McIlmurray). The win was number 20 of Saulsgood’s career. Saulsgood is owned by E C S Racing and trained by Kevin St. Charles.

SAULSGOOD REPLAY

In race seven, the Mares Open, Coqui Coqui (Justin Irvine) grabbed the early lead and set the fractions to three-quarters of 27.0, 56.0 (29.0), and 1:24.4 (28.4) before tiring to fifth.

Hired Luck, who was 9th at the three-quarters, circled the field as she did in her previous start, to get up to win by a length and three-quarters in a final clocking of 1:55.0. Cruisin Thru Time and Kody Massey closed well for second while Shes Cruising Home and Drew Neill settled for third. Hired Luck is owned by Greenhorn Racing and it was the first win for the new connections and Hired Luck’s 21st career win.

HIRED LUCK REPLAY

Drivers Drew Neill and Lindsay Moen had driving doubles on the night. Trainer Paul Cloer, Jr had a training double. Driver Jason Merriman picked up career win 2,997 in the above-mentioned sixth race and is now just three away from his 3,000th win career milestone.

Racing at The Ville resumes Saturday (Sept 2) at 7 p.m. and features a 10-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: US Trotting results.

by Ken Terpenning, for Northville Downs