New lifetime mark for Admiral Adam

Admiral Adam (Always A Virgin – Fox Valley Praline) and harness racing driver Kody Massey survived a first-up trip to win the Saturday night (Jul. 15) featured Open 1 Handicap in a new lifetime mark of 1:53.3.

Early leaders Last Bet and Lying In Cash battled to an opening quarter of 27.3 when Jason Merriman and Lying In Cash took back over going to the half in 57.0. Admiral Adam marched up first over and challenged Lying In Cash to three-quarters in 1:25.1 before Admiral Adam wore down the early leader in the stretch to win by a three-quarter-length margin.

ADMIRAL ADAM REPLAY

The win was Admiral Adam’s 12^th career victory and the four-year-old gelding is owned by Lases Racing and trained by Paul Cloer, Jr.

Liberal (I Am A Fool) took the Open 2 pace in coast-to-coast fashion for driver/ trainer Art McIlmurray and owner Staci Malady in 1:56.1 marking the 49^th career victory for the 12-year-old.

Perhaps the most exciting race on the night, however, was race 9 where Coalfordbythesea (Downbytheseaside) battled My Friskie Boy (Feelin Friskie) to an opening quarter timed in 25.4 seconds which is believed to be one of the fastest, if not the fastest opening quarters over the Michigan oval in its history since opening in 1944. Coalfordbythesea and driver Justin Irvine prevailed to win the race in a time of 1:55.3 for owner/trainer Gerald Malady.

Drivers Drew Neill and Art McIlmurray had driving triples while Don Harmon and Justin Irvine had doubles. Trainers Gerald Malady, Todd Pappas and Becky Zubkoff all had training doubles on the evening.

Racing at The Ville resumes Friday (July 21) at 7 p.m. Friday night is dollar night featuring $1 live programs, $1 pop and popcorn, $2 hot dogs and beer and hamburger and cheeseburger specials. 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