Lying In Cash and Jason Merriman captured the Saturday night (Sept. 2) featured $9,500 Open Pace at Northville Downs in a dazzling 1:53.1.
When the Brownlee Gate Cam starting gate pulled away from the field, Coalfordbythesea (Justin Irvine) and Lying In Cash (Jason Merriman) were found in the top two positions coming to the backstretch and heading to the quarter pole. Lying In Cash took over the lead and never looked back, putting up all the numbers :27.2, :56.3, 1:24.2 and a final time of 1:53.1 (:28.4) to win by 2-1/2 lengths. Coalfordbythesea settled for second best and Rockin TJ (Art McIlmurray) third.
Lying In Cash (Aracache Hanover – Jokerslitlwhitelie) is bred, owned and trained in Michigan by Techia Lohmann and the win was the 35th of his career. For driver Jason Merriman, it was career driving win 2,998, just two shy of a 3,000-win milestone.
In the night’s third race, Goodness Graycious (Tellitlikeitis – Cambeth) and Don Harmon cruised to a track record-equalling win in 1:56.3 for owners Darwin and Ann Shaver and Laura Perniciaro and trainer Al Tomlinson. The two-year-old pacing colt equalled the record previously held by Thorn Toad (Tim Roach) set on Oct. 8, 2021.
Don Harmon and Marc St. Louis Jr. had driving doubles on the night and trainer Jason Seymour doubled as well.
Racing at The Ville resumes Friday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. Friday night is dollar night featuring $1 live programs, $1 pop and popcorn, $2 hot dogs and beer and hamburger and cheeseburger specials. Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night until Sept. 30 with a 7 p.m. post time. For live racing dining reservations, be sure to call Northville Downs in advance at 248-924-2073.
(With files from Northville Downs)