by Dan Conway, USTA Web Newsroom Correspondant

The big race this week at Northville Downs was the Open Handicap Trot for a purse of $10,000 on Thursday evening.

Four geldings and two mares went to post with the seven-year-old gelding Harbortown North going off as the bettor’s choice. He finished fourth last time in this class, but before that he had two victories.

Rompaway Stacey was the second favorite. She finished third last time out. The week before that she was scratched; and before that she had three victories in the Open.

Honor The Cash won last week in this class for his first victory in four starts at this level. He was the fan’s third choice.

As the gate left, Don Harmon urged Rompaway Stacey out aggressively from the six hole and was soon in a battle with Harbortown North and Vince Copeland. Around the first turn and down the backstretch Rompaway Stacey was on the front with Harbortown North sitting second on the outside. The quarter came in :29⁴. Brad Kramer was away third with Side Man, who was coming off a victory in a non-winners event. Honor The Cash was away fourth, driven by Eric Goodell.

Around the second turn Harbortown North finally took command and powered the field to the half in 1:00¹. At this point everyone seemed to be content where they were.

Past the half, Goodell brought Honor The Cash out and the four-year-old gelding trotted up smartly around the turn looking for the front end. Down the backstretch, Honor The Cash came up to challenge Harbortown North. Side Man followed second over on the outside.

At the 1:31 three-quarters, Harbortown North and Honor The Cash were heads apart and starting to put on a very exciting horse race. Around the final turn they battled with Harbortown North staying strong under pressure and Honor The Cash refusing to give up.

Heading down the stretch, Harbortown North still had a head advantage over Honor The Cash with both drivers going to work. Side Man stayed in the chase, but just at the wire Honor The Cash got up by a neck over Harbortown North. Side Man finished third. The time of the mile was 2:01².

Honor The Cash is by Armbro Laser, out of Honor Code. He is owned by Dawn Del Montier and trained by Sherif Cunmulaj. This was his fourth victory in 11 starts this season and he sports lifetime earnings of $41,141.