Don’ttouchmytruck smashes Northville track record

$20,000 Michigan Fair Stake Finals were contested on Saturday evening (Sept. 23) at the Northville, Michigan harness racing oval where one track record was established and another was equaled.

In race four on the pari-mutuel program, Don’ttouchmytruck (Racing Hill – Age of Consent) smashed the track record for a three-year-old pacing gelding in a final time of 1:54.1 with Jason Merriman in tow. The previous record of 1:54.4 was set in 2010 by Smarter Yet (Skip DeMull). Don’ttouchmytruck and Merriman set sail off the car and put up all of the fractions 28.1, 58.1, 1:26.1, and closing out a widening five and a half-length margin of victory in 1:54.1 (final half in 56.0), defeating runner-up The Mandalorian (Art McIlmurray) and third place finisher Captain Max Henry (Don Harmon), to capture the $20,000 Michigan Fair Stake Final for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers. He is bred, owned and trained in Michigan by Judy Roegner.

DON’TTOUCHMYTRUCK REPLAY

In the non-wagering card earlier in the afternoon, John’s Baby Filly (Long Tom – Jacob’s Gilly) and driver Justin Irvine, captured the $20,000 Michigan Fair Stake Final for two-year-old filly trotters in 2:02.2, equaling the track record for her division (previously set by Call Me Senorita in 2021 and again in 2022 by Cody’s Deal). John’s Baby Filly is bred and owned in Michigan by Raelee Ann Beecher and trained by Brian Boring. Elian’s Lightning finished second and Plenty O Sunshine was third.

Here are the winners of the other Fair Stake Final divisions:

Two-year-old Colt Pace: Goodness Graycious (Tellitlikeitis– Cambeth) Dr: Don Harmon, Tr: Al Tomlinson, Owner/Breeder: Darwin & Ann Shaver and Laura Perniciaro in Michigan, Time: 1:57.3

Three-year-old Filly Trot: It’s Wine Time (What the Hill – Ok’s Lorann) Dr: Brad Kramer, Tr: Al Tomlinson, Owner/Breeder: Ann Shaver, Beth Thelen and Laura Perniciaro in Michigan, Time: 1:59.3

Three-year-old C & G Trot: New Swan In Town (Swan in a Million – Ss Golden Chip) Dr: Skip DeMull, Tr: Donna Cotton, Owner: Cotton Standardbreds, Breeder: Donna & Jeffrey Cotton, Time: 1:59.2

Three-year-old Filly Pace: Fix Ur Makeup (Jk Endofanera – Kerosene) Dr: Don Harmon, Trainer/Owner/Breeder: Krista Harmon, Time: 1:57.4

In the Open Pace, Diesel Accelerator (Big Bad John – So Very Nice) and driver/trainer Kody Massey went wire to wire in 1:55.1 to win by two lengths over Youmakemyheartsing (2^nd) and Dusto (3^rd). It was the 32^nd career win for the seven-year-old gelding who is owned by Russ Mignano.

In total for the non-wagering and pari-mutuel race programs, drivers Kody Massey and Justin Irvine had driving hat tricks, Jason Merriman and Don Harmon doubles while trainers Brian Boring and Al Tomlinson had training doubles.

Northville Downs resumes racing on Friday (Sept 29) 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 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