Northville, MI — Quality Closer launched off the car and never looked back to take the final $10,800 Open Pace at Northville Downs in 2022 in a scintillating 1:53.3 on a snowy Saturday night (Dec. 17).

Quality Closer put up fractions of :27, :55.1 and 1:23.3 before stopping the timer in 1:53.3. The only challenge came in the last turn from Princess Rockette, the lone mare in the race, but she could only manage to get within a length of the winner. Quality Closer’s final margin of victory was 1-3/4 lengths for driver Marc St. Louis Jr., who captured the 2022 Northville driving title over runner-up Kody Massey.

Quality Closer, driven by Northville driving champ Marc St. Louis Jr., took the final Open Pace of the 2022 season at the Metro Detroit facility. Renae Parsons photo.

This was the 51st career win for Quality Closer and his ninth on the season. His lifetime earnings went to $502,667. Trainer Mark Headworth owns the 10-year-old Quality Western gelding with Christopher Knecht.

Driver Kody Massey had a big night with four wins, and trainer Elizabeth Tolley took down three wins on the night, making it a close finish for the leading trainer title, but Paul Cloer Jr. hung on to win the training title by three wins over Tolley.

Live racing at Northville Downs resumes on April 7, 2023 at 7 p.m. Northville Downs will race each Friday and Saturday night from April 7 through Sept. 30, 2023.