Hastings, MI — On Tuesday (Aug 12), the inaugural race was won by Tl All Business (Plesac-Aj) for owners/breeders Thomas and Kim Laier. Thomas Laier was the trainer and Kody Massey was the winning driver. Tl All Business was just that on opening day by winning coast-to-coast by a two-length margin in a time of 2:07.4
The co-featured races on Tuesday were the Open Trot and the Mares Open Pace. Driver David Lake and trainer Gerald Malady captured both events. In the Open Trot, Crypto Currency charged home after getting away fourth and he won going away by three and three-quarters lengths in a time of 2:01.2. James Lay owns the five-year-old gelded son of International Moni and Clover Market. In the Mares Open Pace, Lake and Malady teamed up again, this time for owner John Turgliatto, winning with Go Go Lyla Jane (Rockin Amadeus-Rei To Go), who went gate-to-wire in 1:59.1 to win by a length and a half.
On Wednesday (Aug 13), the featured Open Pace for the boys was won by four-year-old gelding Born Wild (Well Said – Artistic Heart) for owner John Turgliatto (who also had a big week by winning two Opens as an owner), trainer Gerald Malady and driver Art McIlmurray. The heavy favorite led every step of the race and stopped the clock in 1:59.2. Trainer Gerald Malady ended up sweeping all three Opens over the two day opening week.
Driver Kody Massey came across as the hot hands, driving seven winners over the two day period with five coming on Wednesday’s card alone. David Lake and Art McIlmurray each had two driving winners each.
Malady had a total of four training wins over the two days, Paul Cloer, Jr and Jason Hanna each had two training wins.
Racing resumes next Tuesday (Aug 19) in Hastings. MI at Northville Downs with a first race post time of 1 p.m.