Michigan Sire Stakes Finals at Northville Downs

This coming Friday night (Sept. 8), Northville Downs will host Michigan Sire Stakes Finals harness racing action with purses totaling $707,100 that includes four non-wagering Finals for the four pacing divisions, starting at 5:10pm EDT, then the pari-mutuel program beginning at 7pm EDT that includes 11 races, of which races three through six include the four trotting divisions of the Michigan Sire Stakes Finals.

Each division for Michigan sired two and three-year-old trotters and pacers looks to be very competitive and as in years past, multiple track records will be in jeopardy at the Northville, Michigan oval that is celebrating its 79^th year of operation since opening in September 1944.

Three-year-old pacing gelding Twobirdsonestone (Black Daniels – She B Jeebeez) highlights the pacing divisions program as he looks to remain undefeated on the year (currently 6 for 6 in 2023), with his division being the fourth of the four non-wagering events. The gelding is conditioned by 71-year-old trainer Carl Putnam, Jr, who also owns and drives the pacer. Twobirdsonestone went 12 for 13 in his 2022 campaign with his only loss being a second-place finish in his final start of the year. Twobirdsonestone totes a stunning resume so far in his young career with 19 starts, 18 wins and one second and earnings of $180,296 and a lifetime mark of 1:56.4 over the Northville Downs oval.

In addition to the eight Sire Stake Finals, Race 9 is the $9,500 Open Trot that includes 9 competitors whose lifetime purse earnings total over $2.1 million. Included in the field are three current Northville Downs’ track record holders Saulsgood (2, g, t, 2:01.1, 10/8/2021), Rose Run Xander (4, g, t, 1:57.0, 8/25/23) and Swan Leader (Fastest Dead Heat on the Trot, 2:00.0, 6/16/2023).

Saturday night’s schedule features a ten race program that includes the $9,500 Mares Open Pace that was carried over from Friday night due to the Sire Stakes Finals, and the $9,500 Open Pace for the boys.

In addition to the stellar racing programmed for Friday, the ever-popular ‘dollar night’ at The Ville is on-tap, as per usual, with one dollar popcorn, live race programs, pop and win bets, as well as two dollar hot dogs, beer and hamburger and cheeseburger specials are being offered to fans in attendance on-track. Racing will be contested every Friday and Saturday night through and including September 30^th, 2023. First race post time will be 7 p.m. each race night throughout the meet.

For live racing dining reservations, be sure to call Northville Downs in advance at 248-924-2073.

For complete non-wagering race entries, click here: US Trotting entries.

For complete pari-mutuel race entries, click here: US Trotting entries.

by Ken Terpenning, for Northville Downs