A pair of co-featured Opens had exciting finishes on Friday at Northville Downs.
In Race 9, the $10,800 Mares Open Pace, Delightful Summer and driver Marc St. Louis Jr. made a slick move at three-quarters to sneak off the pylons and blow right by tiring leader Danikova (John Moody) in just a few strides and open up by 4-1/2 lengths for the 1:55 victory. The six-year-old daughter of Quality Western and Midsummer Delight won over Coqui Coqui (Justin Irvine) with De Havilland (Jason Merriman) settling for show.
Delightful Summer (pictured above) made her Northville debut her 17th career victory and pushed her lifetime earnings to $136,995. She is owned by Crazy Parrot Farm LLC and is trained by Danielle St. Louis.
Race 10 was the co-featured $10,800 Open Trot. Early leader Rose Run Vincent (David Lake) looked unstoppable as he opened up to an eight-length lead to the half-mile pole and maintained a seven-length lead into the stretch, but owner/trainer/driver Bob Rowland and his charge I Get It had other ideas. The pair came from eighth at the quarter pole, some 12 lengths back, to a striking position at the head of the stretch. Eventually, I Get It wore down the tired leader and got up for the 1:58.1 victory by a half-length over Rose Run Vincent and a hard-charging Saulsgood (Jason Merriman).
The seven-year-old gelded son of Dontyouforgetit and Less Stress earned his 54th career victory in his 109th career start and he now totes career earnings totalling $240,367.
David Lake had a driving double and trainer Bart Stimer had a training double on the card.
Racing at The Ville resumes Saturday at 7 p.m.
(With files from Northville Downs)