by Hugh Mellon, for Northville Downs

Northville, MI — Northville Downs, which is in the second week of its 2009 live racing meet, has announced an adjustment to its weekly schedule.

Northville Downs will drop Saturday matinee programs — they have raced two — and add Wednesday evenings in March and April. Those two months will offer live racing on a Wednesday through Saturday schedule.

The remainder of February offers racing under the lights on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Post time for evening programs remains at 7:35 p.m.

“We are very optimistic with the new live schedule,” said John Carlo, Northville Downs managing director. “Our afternoon simulcast crowd and handle has remained stable through much of the current economic downturn and I look forward to the live handle holding its own as the weather begins to improve.”

Northville Downs has introduced several new and unique promotions to its calendar. Among them are the first-ever Exacta Throwdown Showdown and the 11-week $2,500 Road to the Derby contest — the only such promotion in the greater Detroit-Toledo markets.

“We have taken the initiative to become pro-active with a well-rounded promotional marketing approach,” commented Carlo. “We want to become more attractive to the young, college age segment along with offering new, innovative ways to attract the seasoned horse player.”

In addition to the new marketing and promotions, Northville Downs is now home to metro Detroit’s largest Poker Room. Charity Poker operates seven days a week and has been a virtual sell-out since opening three weeks ago. All proceeds from the Poker benefit local charity.

For information, go to www.northvilledowns.com.