Artistic Cut was a pocket rocket winner on Friday at Northville Downs in the featured $10,800 Mares Open Pace with driver Jason Merriman in tow.
When the wings folded, Cousin Margie and Lindsay Moen left for the lead but went off-stride, which left Delightful Summer and driver Marc St. Louis Jr. inheriting the top spot as Artistic Cut looked on in the pocket. The mares went to the quarter in :28.1. Coqui Coqui and Justin Irvine challenged Delightful Summer for the lead past the half in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:26.2. As they turned for home, Delightful Summer succumbed to the pressure and Artistic Cut slid up the pegs for the 1:56.4 victory by three-quarters of a length. Delightful Summer settled for second and Rocks Stormy D closed well for third.
This was the first win of the season and 11th career victory for Artistic Cut, who is owned and trained by Techia Lohmann. The win pushed her career earnings to $82,804.
The night also yielded a plethora of driving doubles as Skip DeMull, Kim Pluta, Art McIlmurray and Drew Neill each had two winners.
Racing at The Ville resumes Saturday, June 17 at 7 p.m.
(With files from Northville Downs)