Celebrity Pegasus flies to 50th victory

The 11-year-old stallion Celebrity Pegasus (Andover Hall – Celebrity Athena) took down the co-featured Open Trot Friday night (Aug. 18) with harness racing driver Kim Pluta in 1:58.2 for his 50th career victory, while Hired Luck, six-year-old pacing mare (Tellitlikeitis- Lady Luck Killean) and driver Marc St. Louis, Jr., made her Northville Downs debut a winning one in the co-featured Open Pace for mares in 1:55.2.

In an Open Trot that saw four of the nine competitors break stride throughout the mile, Celebrity Pegasus, who got away safely in third from his second tier starting position, stalked early leaders Some More Prince and Swan Leader to three-quarters.

Kim Pluta sensed that Some More Prince was starting to tire so he guided his charge outside for clear sailing and opened up in the stretch to win by a length over Swan Leader who was second and a fast-closing Bo Nanza Chip got up for third.

CELEBRITY PEGASUS REPLAY

Celebrity Pegasus is owned by Joshua Graber and trained by Samuel Eicher.

The Mares Open Pace had Juxta Cowgirl on a three-race win streak on the early lead with David Lake while Hired Luck got away seventh from her second tier starting position only to move to a second over position going to the half behind a first-up She The North.

As the field headed to three-quarters, Juxta Cowgirl started to tire and Marc St Louis waited no longer, tipping Hired Luck three wide to three-quarters and she stormed home in the stretch to win easily by a widening four and a half-length victory. Cousin Margie got up for the place while Princesa Alta stormed home for the show dough.

Hired Luck is owned by Stacey Currie and trained by Danielle St Louis. It was the mare’s 20th career win.

HIRED LUCK REPLAY

Driver Drew Neill had a driving hat trick while Kody Massey had a driving double on the evening.

Racing at The Ville resumes Saturday (Aug 19) at 7 p.m. and features a 13-race program.  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: US Trotting results.

by Ken Terpenning, for Northville Downs