Northville, MI — Herecomescharlie B and breeder-owner-trainer-driver Dan Venier cruised to victory in the Open Trot Friday night (Sept. 29) at Northville Downs, taking the mile in 1:56. Also on the night, Cruisin Thru Time and trainer-driver Kody Massey captured the Mares Open Pace in 1:56.

In the Open Trot, Herecomescharlie B launched to the front off of the car and never looked back, putting up fractions of :27.4, :58 and 1:27.2, before stopping the timer in an eye-popping 1:56, just three-fifths of a second off of the track record for an older trotting gelding and winning by 10-1/2 lengths. I Get It and Bob Rowland closed well for second; Stoneborough hung on for third.

Herecomescharlie B cruised to a double-digit margin of victory in Friday’s Open Trot at Northville. Renae Parsons photo.

The win was the 21st in the career of Herecomescharlie B, a 6-year-old son of Full Count-Jetterbug whose lifetime earnings now exceed $250,000.

In the Mares Open Pace, Cruisin Thru Time, owned by Brook Daniel, doubled up by closing from worst-to-first to win by a one-length margin over runner-up Saddle Up N Cruise (Kim Pluta) and Skyway Venus, who was third. It was the 24th win for the 5-year-old Yankee Cruiser-I Kill Time mare, whose earnings now eclipsed the $150,000 mark.

Six non-wagering events were held prior to the pari-mutuel card as part of the Great Lake Stakes Series, each for a purse or $20,000. Here are the results:

2-Year-Old Colt Pace – Deciding Factor (Bondi Hanover – Pretty Soon) Dr: Brad Kramer, Tr: Marvin Craft, O: Eugene Schrauben, Br: Ora Petersheim, MI; Time: 1:59.4

2-Year-Old Filly Pace – Pair of Hardts (Manhardt – Earhart Hanover) Dr/Tr: Charles Taylor, O: Charles Taylor and Jaime Zenker, Br: Libby Myers, MI; Time: 1:59.4

3-Year-Old Colt Trot (Division 1) – Smash The Rail (Smashed – Emma Rules) O/Tr/Dr: Scott Altizer, Br: Raymond Yoder, MI; Time: 2:03.0

3-Year-Old Colt Trot (Division 2) – Bluemoon Glide (Blueglide Volo – Fox Valley Medusa) O/Dr: Rick Dobson, Tr: Monica Krist, Br: Orla Bontrager, MI; Time: 2:00.1

3-Year-Old Filly Pace – Mega Diamond (Megatron – Getoutthediamonds) Br/O: Brett Boyd Racing, Inc, Tr: Brett Boyd, Dr: Justin Irvine; Time: 1:58.1

3-Year-Old Colt Pace – Two Birds Onestone (Black Daniels – She B Jeebeez) O/Tr/Dr: Carl Putnam, Jr, Br: Brian Boring & Jennifer Vollmer; Time 1:58.1. For Two Birds Onestone, the win was the 10th of the season as he remains undefeated in 2023 and is now 22-for-23 lifetime with earnings of $250,000.

Charles Taylor and Jason Merriman had driving doubles on the night; Taylor and Roger Bertera had training doubles, as well.

Racing at Northville resumes Saturday (Sept 30) at 7 p.m. with a 12-race pari-mutuel wagering program starting at 7 p.m. which includes three additional $20,000 Great Lake Stakes in races four through six and the Open Pace in race 11. Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night through 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.