Northville, MI — Artistic Cut and Celebrity Pegasus captured their respective Open events Friday night (Sept. 15) at Northville Downs.

In the Mares Open Pace, an early battle ensued into the first turn between Cruisin Thru Time (Kody Massey) and Juxta Cowgirl (Art McIlmurray), with Cruisin Thru Time settling up top and Juxta Cowgirl dropping into the pocket. They went past the quarter in :27.3 before Artistic Cut and Jason Merriman came first up at the :57.1 half. Artistic Cut wrestled the lead away from Cruisin Thru Time as they tripped the beam to three-quarters in 1:26.2. As they turned for home, Artistic Cut opened up to win by two lengths in 1:56.3, a new seasonal best. Rocks Stormyd and Drew Neill overcame broken equipment to close back up for second and Skyway Venus (Michael DeRuntz) closed well for third.

Artistic Cut braved a first-over trip en route to her second Open-class victory. Renae Parsons photo.

Artistic Cut is owned and trained by Techia Lohmann, and the win was the 12th of the 5-year-old Artspeak-Paper Cut mare’s career and her second win at the Open level. For driver Jason Merriman, the win the 2,999th of his career.

In the Open Trot, Celebrity Pegasus and driver Kim Pluta took the pocket ride behind early pacesetter Rose Run Vincent and David Lake past the quarter in :28, half in :58.1 and three-quarters in 1:27.3. At the top of the stretch, Celebrity Pegasus drifted three-wide out from the pocket and got up at the wire to win in 1:58.2 by a length over runner-up Little Jedi (John Moody). Saulsgood closed well for third after an early break in stride.

It was the 51st career win for Celebrity Pegasus (Andover Hall-Celebrity Athena), who is owned by Joshua Graber and trained by Samuel Eicher.

Art McIlmurray had a driving and training double on the night and Paul Cloer Jr. had a training double as well.

Racing at Northville resumes Saturday (Sept 16) at 7 p.m. Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night until Nov. 25 with a 7 p.m. post time. For live racing dining reservations, be sure to call Northville Downs in advance at 248.924.2073.