A pair of $9,500 Opens shared the Friday spotlight at Northville Downs as five-year-old pacing mare Uniquerock, driven by Kody Massey, and seven-year-old trotting gelding Travlin Swan, with driver/trainer Art McIlmurray, won their respective races.
In the Mares Open, Eyes Dont Lie and driver Winter Asher-Stalbaum left for the lead from their pole position, blazing fractions in :26.4, :55.3 and 1:25 to three-quarters while Uniquerock looked on from second and a parked out Princess Rougarou and Lindsay Moen pressed the pace most of the way. But as they turned for home, the top pair opened up on the field but Uniquerock blasted up the inside passing lane to get up for the victory by a half-length in 1:55.2. Eyes Dont Lie settled for second while Coqui Coqui closed well for third.
Uniquerock (Rockin Amadeus-Unique Boutique) is owned by Lases Racing and is trained by Paul Cloer. Jr. The win was the 13th of her career and pushed her earnings to $83,567.
In the Open Trot, Travlin Swan (pictured above) went coast-to-coast in the easiest of victories in a time of 1:58.2 for his 20th career victory, which pushed his lifetime earnings to $147,317. Youcouldbethatgirl closed well for second in the race while Stoneborough rode the pocket to a third-place finish to complete the trifecta.
Travlin Swan (Swan For All- Kandys Kid) is owned by Staci Malady and was bred in Michigan by Gus Korbakis.
Massey snagged three driving wins on the night while McIlmurray and Marc St. Louis Jr. each had driving doubles. McIlmurray and Danielle St. Louis each had training doubles.
Racing at The Ville resumes Saturday at 7 p.m.
(With files from Northville Downs)