Delightful Summer shines at Northville

A pair of co-featured harness racing Opens had exciting finishes Friday (Jun. 9) at Northville Downs.

In race 9, the $10,800 Mares Open Pace, Delightful Summer, a six-year-old daughter of Quality Western and Midsummer Delight, with driver Marc St. Louis, Jr. in tow, made a slick move at three-quarters to sneak off the pylons to blow right by tiring leader Danikova and driver John Moody in just a few strides to open up to win by 4 ½ lengths in 1:55 over Coqui Coqui and Justin Irvine who were second and De Havilland and Jason Merriman who settled for show. 

DELIGHTFUL SUMMER REPLAY

Delightful Summer made her Northville debut her 17th career victory and pushed her lifetime earnings to $136,995. She is owned by Crazy Parrot Farm, LLC and is trained by Danielle St. Louis who is just four wins shy of her 500th training victory of her career. 

Race 10 was the co-featured $10,800 Open Trot. Early leader Rose Run Vincent and driver David Lake looked unstoppable as they opened up to an eight length lead to the half mile pole and maintained a seven length lead into the stretch, but owner, trainer, driver Bob Rowland and his charge I Get It (Dontyouforgetit) had other ideas as the pair came from eighth at the quarter pole, some 12 lengths back, to a striking position at the head of the stretch. Eventually, I Get It wore down the tired leader and got up for the victory by a half-length over Rose Run Vincent who was second and a hard-charging Saulsgood and Jason Merriman who was third. 

I GET IT REPLAY

For the seven-year-old gelding out of Less Stress, it was his 54th career victory in his 109th career start and he now totes career earnings totaling $240,367. 

Driver David Lake had a driving double and trainer Bart Stimer had a training double on the card. For Bart Stimer, he also captured a driving win bringing his career total to 993, just seven shy of his 1000th. 

Racing at The Ville resumes Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 7pm. 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, for Northville Downs