Mare goes seventh-to-first in Northville Open

With a patient drive by Justin Irvine, Princess Rougarou (Big Bad John – Hammers Princess) circled the harness racing field to take the throne in the Northville Downs’ featured $10,800 Mares Open Pace Friday night (Apr. 21).

Eight-year-old Princess Rougarou and Justin Irvine got away seventh in the full field of 9 pacing mares. Early pacesetter Shes Cruising Home and driver Drew Neill put up the early fractions in 27.2, 56.4, and 1:26.4 before succumbing to pressure by a parked out Cousin Margie (L. Moen) in the final turn.

The aforementioned Princess Rougarou then swooped up three wide from the three-quarters and around the last turn and launched by the tiring field to open up and win by a five and a quarter-length margin over pocket sitter Artistic Cut (C. Taylor) who overcame late traffic to get up for second, while Cousin Margie hung on for third.

Princess Rougarou stopped the timer in 1:56.2 and secured her 30th career victory. 

Princess Rougarou is owned and trained by Will Johnson and was bred in Michigan by George Hensley Jr. 

On the night, driver Jason Merriman had a driving triple while drivers Drew Neill and Justin Irvine had driving doubles. 

In the final race on the card, driver Drew Neill’s charge Full of Sharks ducked the starting gate, took a bad step and went down at the start of the race sending Drew to the ground. Full of Sharks was assisted back to the paddock by outrider Nicole Stroup while driver Drew Neill was attended to by paramedics on-site. According to trainer Craig Wolfe, Full of Sharks suffered some abrasions but is expected to be okay. Drew Neill is reported to be very sore, but expects to be alright as well. 

Racing at The Ville resumes Saturday, April 22nd at 7pm. Live racing continues every Friday and Saturday evening now through September 30th. 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