Stars Align A shines at Northville

It may have been hazy at the Northville, Michigan oval on Saturday (June 10) night, but the stars aligned for the 10-year-old harness racing stallion Stars Align A (Art Major) and driver Kim Pluta as they went wire-to-wire to take the featured $10,800 Open Handicap Pace at Northville Downs in 1:53.2.

Pluta fired Stars Align A right to the front off the wings of the gate to an eye-popping opening quarter of 26.2. They faced a challenge by Oh K Man (Marc St. Louis, Jr) to a half in 55 seconds but Stars Align A was too good, opening up down the backstretch to three-quarters in 1:23.3.

A late stretch challenge came from Gabe the Babe and Drew Neill but it was not enough to beat Stars Align A who held on to win by a half-length over Gabe the Babe who was second and Oh K Man settled for third.

Stars Align A is owned by Joshua Jay Graber and trained by Samuel Eicher. The victory was career win number 45 and pushed the stud’s lifetime earnings to $623,292.

STARS ALIGN A REPLAY

Driver Drew Neill had four wins on the program. Art McIlmurray and Kody Massey had driving doubles and trainer Paul Cloer, Jr. had a training triple while Jason Seymour had a training double.

Racing at The Ville resumes Friday, June 16, 2023, at 7pm. 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 from now until September 30th with a 7pm 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, Northville Downs