Northville, MI — A pair of Opens shared the Friday (June 30) spotlight at Northville Downs as 7-year-old trotting gelding Travlin Swan, driven by trainer Art McIlmurray, and 5-year-old pacing mare Uniquerock, driven by Kody Massey, won their respective divisions.
In the Open Trot, Travlin Swan went coast-to-coast in the easiest of victories in 1:58.2 for his 20th career victory, which pushed the Swan For All gelding’s lifetime earnings to $147,317. Youcouldbethatgirl closed well for second in the race while Stoneborough rode the pocket to a third-place finish.
Travlin Swan is owned by Staci Malady and was bred in Michigan by Gus Korbakis.
In the Mares Open, Eyes Don’t Lie and 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 pocket sitter 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, and as the dust settled, Uniquerock blasted up the inside passing lane to get up for the victory by a half length in 1:55.2. Eyes Don’t Lie settled for second, while Coqui Coqui closed well for third.
Uniquerock is owned by Lases Racing and is trained by Paul Cloer Jr. It was the Rockin Amadeus mare’s 13th career victory, and it pushed her career earnings to $83,567.
Kody Massey snagged three driving wins on the night while McIlmurray and Marc St. Louis Jr. each had driving doubles. Trainers McIlmurray and Danielle St. Louis each had training doubles.
Racing at Northville resumes Saturday (July 1) at 7 p.m. Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night from now 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.