Northville hosts $20,000 Great Lake Stakes

$20,000 Great Lake Stakes were contested on Saturday evening (Sept. 30) at the Northville, Michigan harness racing oval in addition to the $9,500 Open Pace.

In race four, Elian’s Lightning (Southwind Elian – Show Me the Light) captured the two-year-old filly trotting division of the $20,000 Great Lake Stake over Sunsetacres Girl and Smashin’classy who were second and third respectively. Elian’s Lightning is owned in partnership by Tim Roach and Willa Rousseau, trained and driven by Tim Roach. The team were patient early on but came first over at the half, cleared the early leader past the three-quarters and drew off to win by over four lengths in 2:04.3. It was the eighth win of the filly’s young career whose earnings went to $89,645.

In race five, a race marred by multiple breakers, Smashingoodmatch (Smashed – Agoodmatch) and driver David Lake minded their manners the best to get up for the win in the two-year-old colt trot division of the $20,000 Great Lake Stake in 2:03.4, winning by 11 ½ lengths over J’s Rocky in second and NordicsFinalLegacy who was fifth but placed up to third following a lengthy inquiry due to the breaking horses in the stretch. Smashingoodmatch is owned by Ted Boschma and trained by Kent Hess. It was the eighth win of his career and he now totes earnings of $77,733 lifetime.

Race six, Krystals Jewel (Monsieur Claude – Krystals Affair) made a quarter pole move to the lead and never looked back to take the three-year-old filly trotting division of the Great Lake Stake in a time of 2:01.4 by two lengths over Miss Sparty Mar who was second and Psalmsfortysixfive in third  Krystals Jewel is owned and trained by Samuel Eicher, bred in Michigan by Matthew Bontrager and was driven to victory by Don Harmon. It was the eighth career win for Krystals Jewel and she now has lifetime earnings of $125,685.

In the Open Pace, race 11, Diesel Accelerator (Big Bad John  – So Very Nice) and trainer/driver Kody Massey parlayed a second over trip into his third win in a row at The Ville and his second consecutive Open win, taking the mile in 1:54.3 for his 33^rd career win. Admiral Adam and Lindsay Moen closed strongly for second and Lying In Cash was third.

Driver Kody Massey had a driving hat trick and David Lake a driving double.

Northville Downs resumes racing on Friday (Oct 6) with a first post time of 7 p.m. Friday is dollar night at The Ville with $1 pop, live programs and popcorn, $2 hot dogs and beer and hamburger and cheeseburger specials. 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