Michigan harness racing is set for a return to Northville Downs for the 2023 season starting this Friday (April 7).
Friday night features the $10,800 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap. A field of seven pacing mares will do battle with Will Johnson’s Princess Rougarou, a lifetime earner of $338,319, leading the charge. She will take on the likes of Sam Mignano’s Danikova, who has earned $363,206 in her lifetime, as well as Sandra Hennessey and Paula Sugars’s Sugar Dance, who has earned $237,630 lifetime. Rounding out the field is Fiftyshadesofbliss, Artistic Cut, Cousin Margie and Come On Over.
Friday also features the ever-popular "dollar night" at The Ville with one-dollar popcorn, live race programs, pop and win bets, as well as two-dollar hot dogs, beer and hamburger specials will be offered to fans in attendance on-track.
Saturday’s program features a multitude of aged campaigners who have all earned their share of purse earnings over their careers. In the $9,000 Open 2 event, carded as Race 2, Liberal ($343,816 in earnings), Magic Shark ($268,865) and Quality Closer (1:49.2, $520,947) lead the field of seven pacers. The three have combined for 133 wins and more than $1.133 million in purse earnings.
Then in Race 4, the $10,800 featured Open 1 Pace, a field of seven competitors will align. Leading the way in this group is 28-time winner and 2022 Michigan Aged Pacer of the Year Lying In Cash, who captured 10 wins in 2022, including eight of those at the Open level at The Ville. Taking on the 2022 Michigan champion are 54-time winner Dusto, 42-time winner Oh K Man, 20-time winner Jets Sureshot, 16-time winner Rockin Rusty, nine-time winner Pitt Panda and 26-time winner Ticks A Yankin. The stellar field has a combined for 195 wins and purse earnings just shy of $1.5 million.
Saturday night’s program features the $1 Pick 3 on Race 4-6 and the $1 Pick 4 on Races 6-9.
Racing will be contested every Friday and Saturday night from April 7 through and including Sept. 30. First race post time will be 7 p.m. (EDT) each race night throughout the meet.
For live racing dining reservations, be sure to call Northville Downs in advance at 248-924-2073.
(Northville Downs)