Northville, MI — Lying In Cash and Jason Merriman captured the featured Open 1 Pace at Northville Downs on Saturday night (Aug. 19) in a dazzling 1:53.1.
When the wings of the gate closed, Gabe the Babe (Drew Neill) and Lying In Cash battled for the early lead but once they turned to the backstretch, Lying In Cash took over and never looked back, putting up all the numbers (:26.4, :55.3, 1:24, and a final clocking of 1:53.1) and defeating his seven rivals. Southwind Amazon finished second, 2-1/2 lengths back of the winner, while Last Bet was just a nose back of Southwind Amazon in third.
Lying In Cash, a son of Aracache Hanover, is bred, owned and trained in Michigan by Techia Lohmann, and the win was the 34th of his career.
Earlier on the night, Commander Bob, leased by Kyle Larner, trained by Sean Mapes and driven by David Lake, equaled the track record by a 4-year-old pacing horse in 1:54.1, a record that was set in 1994 by Rocket Jockey and driver Clay Faurot Jr.
Driver Kody Massey had a grand slam on the night while Drew Neill had his second hat trick of the weekend. Trainer Todd Pappas had a double on the card as well, one of which gave Pappas his first driving win of the meet, first driving win since July 2021, and just the second pari-mutuel driving win of his career, as well.
Racing at Northville resumes Friday (Aug 25) at 7 p.m. Friday night is dollar night, featuring $1 live programs, $1 pop and popcorn, $2 hot dogs and beer and hamburger and cheeseburger specials. Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night until Sept. 30 with a 7 p.m. post time. For clubhouse dining reservations, call 248.924.2073.