Rankin stands out as record fall at Northville

Rankin (Enterprise – Luvyaformiles) and harness racing driver Justin Irvine cruised to a new track record victory in the $15,895 Michigan Breeders Futurity Trot (race three) for two-year-old colts and geldings.

She won in a final clocking of 2:00.4, breaking the previous record for a two-year-old gelding trotter held by Saulsgood in 2:01.1, a record that was set in 2021.

In race six, Roegner’s Don’ttouchmytruck (Racing Hill – Age of Consent) gave her a breeder/owner/trainer double on the card and also gave her a Michigan Breeders Futurity double as the three-year-old pacing gelding captured the $16,045 MBF Pace in a track record equaling performance of 1:54.1, opening up on the rain soaked field to win for the eighth time in his career. The final clocking equaled his own track record he set back on Sept 23, 2023. The gelding paced his third quarter in 27.4 and his final quarter in 28.1 to win by a widening five and a half-length margin.

In race four, the $15,745 MBF for three-year-old filly pacers, Tothemoonandback (Tellitlikeitis – Moonlit Shark) and driver John Moody got the win from off-the-pace for owner Michael Pankow, trainer Kevin St. Charles and breeder Brett Boyd Racing, in a time of 1:58.3.

Race eight, Flippin Lucky (Manhardt – Johnny Made Her) and driver Justin Irvine captured the $15,595 MBF Pace for two-year-old filly pacers after getting trapped behind the tiring front runners and shuffled to fifth in the six horse field. He shook loose turning for home and got up for the win in the shadow of the wire in a time of 2:01.1. Flippin Lucky is bred in Michigan by Libby Myers and is owned by Rick and Geoffrey Howles and trained by Peter Otten. It was the sixth career win for the filly.

Five non-wagering events were held prior to the pari-mutuel card as part of the Michigan Breeders Futurities. Here are the results:

2FT – Sunsetacres Girl (Sunsetacres Banker –Dolce Far Niente) Dr: Don Harmon, Tr: Krista Harmon, O: Thestable Sunsetacresgirl, Br: Henry Detweiler, MI; Time: 2:05.2

2CP – Goodness Garycious (Tellitlikeitis – Cambeth) Dr: Don Harmon, Tr: Al Tomlinson, O: Darwin & Ann Shaver and Laura Perniciaro,  Br: Darwin & Ann Shaver and Laura Perniciaro, MI; Time: 1:57.3

3FT  – It’s Wine Time (What the Hill – Ok’s Lorann) Dr: Brad Kramer, Tr: Al Tomlinson, Br: Ann Shaver, Beth Thelen and Laura Perniciaro, Br: Ann Shaver, Beth Thelen and Laura Perniciaro, MI; Time: 2:00.2

3CT (Div 1) – Peter the Con (Uncle Peter – Jesse’s Con) O/Tr: Sandra Hennessey , Dr: Kim Pluta, Br: Lee Sitto, MI; Time: 1:59.0

3CT (Div 2) – Kaa Dee Jerry (Southwind Russet – Can’t Fire Me) Dr: Kody Massey, Tr: Kent Hess, O/Br: Marjorie Deshetsky, MI; 2:04.1

Driver Jason Merriman had a driving grand slam while Justin Irvine, Don Harmon, and Lindsay Moen all had driving doubles on the night and trainers Kevin St. Charles, Judy Roegner, Al Tomlinson and Roger Bertera had training doubles as well.

Racing at The Ville resumes Saturday (Oct 7th) at 7 p.m. with a 12-race pari-mutuel wagering program starting at 7 p.m. 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