Undefeated 3YO wins $90,000 Michigan Sire Stakes

Friday night, September 8, Northville Downs hosted Michigan Sire Stakes Finals harness racing action with stakes purses totaling $666,000 that included four non-wagering finals for the four pacing divisions and then the pari-mutuel program contested the four trotting divisions of the Michigan Sire Stakes Finals.

Three-year-old pacing gelding Two Birds Onestone (Black Daniels – She B Jeebeez) captured his $90,000 division in 1:58.4 coming from an early third position to win from off the pace as Fitz Bobbins (Justin Irvine) finished second and Haste Make Waste (Tim Roach) was third.

Two Birds Onestone remained undefeated on the year, 7 for 7 in 2023. The gelding is conditioned by 71 year-old trainer Carl Putnam, Jr, who also owns and drives the pacer. Two Birds Onestone now boasts a resume of 20 lifetime starts, 19 wins and one second and earnings of $225,296. Two Birds Onestone was bred in Michigan by Brian Boring and Jennifer Vollmer.

Mega Diamond (Megatron – Getoutthediamonds) and Justin Irvine captured the $90,000 three-year-old filly pacing division in 1:59.4 in front-running fashion for breeder and owner Brett Boyd Racing, Inc and trainer Brett Boyd. Mega Diamond held off a late surge by Grey Lingerie (Rick Dobson) who was second and Harper Jane (Charles Taylor) was third. It was Mega Diamond’s fifth win in her seventh lifetime start.

The $90,000 two-year-old colt pace was taken by Mr Pnut (Manhardt – Marmaria) who closed well from third early in the mile to defeat Kourageous Key (Brad Kramer) who was second and Isle of Man (Justin Irvine) finished third. Mr Pnut covered the mile in a new lifetime best of 2:00.2 for trainer/driver Art McIlmurray and owner/breeder Staci Malady. It was his fourth win in just his eighth career start.

The $90,000 two-year-old filly pace was snagged by Flippin Lucky (Manhardt – Johnny Made Her) and Justin Irvine who went wire-to-wire in 1:58.0 over Forever A Flirt (Brad Kramer) in second and Solidazabrickhouse (Don Harmon) third. Flippin Lucky was bred in Michigan by Libby Myers and is owned by Rick and Geoffrey Howles and trained by Peter Otten. Flippin Lucky garnered her third win in her sixth lifetime start.

Bluemoon Glide (Blueglide Volo – Fox Valley Medusa) and owner/driver Rick Dobson (trainer Monica Krist) won for the eighth time in career start number 20 in the $90,000 three-year-old colt trot in coast-to-coast fashion in 2:00.3 over Head of Security (Art McIlmurray) and Smash the Rail (Scott Altizer) who were second and third respectively. Bluemoon Glide was bred in Michigan by Orla Bontrager.

BLUEMOON GLIDE REPLAY

Krystals Jewel (Monsieur Claude – Krystals Affair) and driver Don Harmon took the $72,000 three-year-old filly trot in a new lifetime mark in 2:01.1, closing to win over runner-up Jolene Kay (Kody Massey) and third place finisher Psalmsfortysixfive (David Lake). It was the sixth victory for Krystals Jewel who is bred in Michigan by Matthew Bontrager and owned and trained by Samuel Eicher.

KRYSTALS JEWEL REPLAY

The $72,000 two-year-old colt trot was taken by early third place sitter Smashingoodmatch (Smashed – Agoodmatch) who closed to win over T L Waldo (Don Harmon) who finished second and Sonofaseecook (Marc St. Louis, Jr) who came in third. Smashingoodmatch is owned by Ted Boschma and trained by Kent Hess, and it was the gelding’s fifth win in career start number eight and he covered the distance in a time of 2:04.1, a new lifetime mark.

SMASHINGOODMATCH REPLAY

The $72,000 two-year-old filly trot was won by Tim Roach’s and Willa Rousseau’s Elian’s Lightning (Southwind Elian – Show Me The Light) in 2:05.3, who also got away third in her race and managed to close for the win. Velma Kelly (Art McIlmurray) was second and Sunsetacres Girl (Don Harmon) finished third. Elian’s Lightning is trained and driven by Tim Roach, and she captured her sixth career win in her eighth lifetime start.

ELIAN’S LIGHTNING REPLAY

In addition to the eight Sire Stakes Finals, the $9,500 Open Trot was won in coast-to-coast fashion by Stoneborough (Airzoom Lindy – Ceana) and owner/trainer/driver Bart Stimer in 1:57.4. Stoneborough looked strong the entire mile and defeated runner-up Holton (Justin Irvine) and Rose Run Xander (Drew Neill) who was third. It was the 27^th career win for Stoneborough.

Racing continues Saturday night (Sept 9) and 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 results, click here: US Trotting results.

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

by Ken Terpenning, for Northville Downs