Northville Meet Begins With Open Winners In Spotlight

Delightful Summer winning at Northville Downs

Rose Run Vincent and Delightful Summer won the opening night features at Northville Downs on Friday, Jan. 5.

In the $14,211 Open Handicap Trot, favourite Travlin Swan and Art McIlmurray fired to the front and put up fractions of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:27.2, all the while being stalked in the pocket by 2-1 second choice Rose Run Vincent and trainer/driver David Lake. As the trotters entered the stretch, Rose Run Vincent slingshot past the pacesetter for the 1:57.4 victory by a three-quarters of a length. Travlin Swan settled for second with Mystical Lane finishing back in third for John Moody.

Rose Run Vincent (And Away We Go-Real Housewife) collected his 21st career victory. The seven-year-old gelding is owned by David Beachy and the win was part of a training-driving double on the card for Lake.

In the $14,211 Mares Open Handicap Pace, Allboutthematerial and Lake rocketed to the early lead, setting the pace in :28.2 to the quarter, :58.2 to the half and 1:27.2 to three-quarters, as Delightful Summer and driver Kody Massey stalked from the pocket to the head of the lane. As the mares turned for home, 9-2 shot Delightful Summer and the drafting position proved too much as she went by to take the Mares Open by a half-length over Allboutthematerial in 1:56. Sanna Cruza A and Austin Hanners finished third.

Delightful Summer (Quality Western-Midsummer Delight) earned her 20th career win. The seven-year-old mare is owned by Crazy Parrot Farm and trained by Danielle St. Louis, who sent out a pair of winners on the night.

Drivers Marc St. Louis Jr. and Justin Irvine also doubled up on the card.

Racing at The Ville resumes on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. with an eight-race program on the docket.

(With files from Northville Downs; Photo of Delightful Summer in a previous win)

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