Smart Irvine steer gives Rougarou another Open

Harness racing driver Justin Irvine gave Princess Rougarou a heads-up drive as she doubled up in the Northville Downs’ featured $10,800 Mares Open Pace Friday night (Apr. 28).

Eight-year-old Princess Rougarou (Big Bad John – Hammers Princess) and Justin Irvine got away fifth off the car from their outside post position. Early pacesetter Cousin Margie (Lindsay Moen) cleared to the front from post five but as she came out of the turn to the backstretch she made a break in stride which stacked up the field behind her. Irvine and his charge were able to avoid the mess and cleared to the lead.

I Choose You (Marc St. Louis, Jr) was able to skirt around the faltering Cousin Margie to take over second going to the quarter pole while the rest of the field settled down behind them. Princess Rougarou proved too good and never looked back while opening up down the lane to win by three and three-quarters lengths over I Choose You who was second and Come On Over who was third. The final clocking for the mile was 1:57.3 over a track rated sloppy. 

Princess Rougarou earned her 31st career victory and her second consecutive Open win. She is owned and trained by Will Johnson and was bred in Michigan by George Hensley Jr. 

The $9,000 Mares Open 2 was captured by Coqui Coqui, also guided to victory by 21 year-old Justin Irvine, as the pair went wire to wire, winning by a seven and a quarter length margin in 1:56.1 over rivals Tora The Explorer (David Lake) who was second and Summer Lovesginger (Kim Pluta) who was third. 

On the night, drivers Justin Irvine and Kody Massey led the way as each had driving doubles.

Racing at The Ville resumes Saturday, April 29th 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