by Mike Bozich, track announcer, Hazel Park

Hazel Park, MI — The state of Michigan’s best 2- and 3-year-old trotters and pacers will do battle on Saturday night (September 22) for purses of over $1 million at Hazel Park Raceway, just north of Detroit. Below is a preview of the eight stakes races which get underway at 7:25 p.m. (EDT).

First race – 2-year-old filly trotters — Purse $120,550

This has been a fairly competitive division all year long in the state of Michigan, but it seems Keyanna Rose is establishing herself as the dominant filly. The leading money earner in the division has seven wins in 11 starts, and is trained and driven by Michigan trot specialist Henry Wilson. She was defeated in her elimination however by Careless Love, who has caught fire as of late. The daughter of Keystone Nordic has won two of her last three, but faces an uphill battle from post number eight. Brett Boyd Racing sends out a formidable entry in NE Love Kandu and Lady Saint, with the latter being the stronger of the two. Lady Saint won her elimination, and went a full two seconds faster than Careless Love’s elim. The daughter of Davanti shocked the world at 32-1, defeating heavily favored Locksweeper, who must overcome post nine. The sleeper of the field perhaps is Engamer Benns Best, starting from post two. Driver/trainer Todd Buter has brought this one along slowly, and is in a good spot to put her speed to good use.

Second race – 2-year-old filly pacers – Purse $124,710

The obvious one to beat is Trifecta 246’s sensation Nillabomb. The daughter of Admiral’s Galley has won just about everything leading up to Million Dollar Night. She is by far the leading money earner in the field, and has drawn post one to boot. Among the fillies that will attempt to upend the Goliath of the group is Rio Raider. The current track record holder for 2-year-old filly pacers at Hazel Park struggled a little bit in her elimination, and that may be cause for concern, but her best will definitely bring her close. The Other Side has upset on her mind after winning her elimination. Driver/trainer Mike Micallef has had a lot of success this year with young horses in Michigan, and an upset here is not out of the question.

Fourth race – 2-year-old colt trotters – Purse $118,630

Speaking of Mike Micallef, he has the standout in this division. Keykeeper has made life very miserable for the other 2-year-old colts in Michigan this year. The son of Lockkeeper has only lost once out of nine starts, and has already banked over $64,000. The culprit of his one loss will start just one spot away in post six. The Rob Harmon trained Long Story Short holds the track record at Hazel Park for 2-year-old colt trotters. He eliminated himself last week with a break, but he will make life a little uncomfortable for Keykeeper tonight with a flat mile. They all will be chasing the speedy Nicks Agreement early on. The son of Keystone Nordic will put the pressure on the rest to “catch him if you can.” The sleeper may be Keith Crawford’s Enzo, who was putting it all together before undergoing a very tough trip in the eliminations. Clear sailing may tell a different tale for this talented trotter.

Sixth race – 2-year-old colt pacers – Purse $130,480

This division is very deep in talent, and should provide one of the most entertaining races of the night. We’ll start with Peter Wrenn’s Reminic. The son of Keystone Raider is red hot, winning his last two by a combined 10-plus lengths. He was heavily favored in his elimination, and will probably be favored to win here from post seven. Competition will be fierce, however, and The Admiral will certainly be involved in the battle. Owned by LRL Racing, The Admiral fits the profile of so many great horses that this outfit has owned in the past. He is green and sometimes his own worst enemy, but he has the most raw talent of this field. Benn’s Shotgun got back on the winning track in his last start with a victory in his elimination. He is likely to be in the hunt early and often. The sleeper could be Doc’s Watson. He made his first start on this track last week and finished a closing third to Benn’s Shotgun.

Eighth race – 3-year-old filly trotters – Purse $122,862

This wide open affair has five horses that have made over $30,000 this year, and that signifies that this division is pretty wide open. We’ll start with elimination winner Irene’s Lucky Lady. The daughter of Winky’s Pine made a successful invasion from Mohawk to win convincingly as the favorite. She drew well, and keeps leading driver Peter Wrenn. The other elimination winner is Y F Meemo, who is owned and trained by Lawrence Young. She must overcome post nine, but she does have a nice late kick. She will need to achieve striking range to overcome the poor starting spot. Brad Kramer’s Benns Wildcat finished a solid second to Irene’s Lucky Lady in the elims. She has a lot of speed and victories over many of these already. Gianna had a tough trip in her elimination loss. She had a narrow defeat here in the Breeders to Benns Wildcat and Y F Meemo back in August. The sleeper may be Easter Holiday D. She has tons of speed and suffered a heartbreaking loss to Y F Meemo in the elim.

Tenth race – 3-year-old filly pacers – Purse $130,592

Princess Michi is no stranger to Million Dollar Night, as she already has visited the winner’s circle as a 2-year-old MDN champion. There was certainly no sophomore jinx, as she has ran roughshod over this division this year, winning 12 of 13 and doing so impressively. Before we write the connections of ‘Michi’ a $65,000 check however, let’s remember that a young daughter of Draft Day by the name of Sweet Day is lurking. Sweet Day looked confident in her elimination, and she brings a 1:53.3 clocking with her from Mohawk, and for a 3-year-old filly, that’s moving. She also draws the rail, and gets her second go over this oval. Summer Vacation is another looking to spoil Michi’s party. She actually gained on the Princess in the stretch back on August 27, and has since won her elimination coming off of a scratched sick.

11th race – 3-year-old colt trotters – Purse $119,952

This is the most competitive race of the night, as all nine have a shot to win, given the correct journey. Nochildleftbehind has them all beat in earnings and wins. He is one of two Keith Crawford trainees in this race, and has a three-race win streak in the works. Keith, however, has decided to drive Sierra, the son of Jurgy Hanover. Sierra is a versatile trotter, and has proven that he can win from on or off the trot. The Wayne Carter trained Willy Be Perfect recovered from a break in his elim to finish full of trot. If young Billy Dobson can keep him flat, Willy could be $60,000 richer at the end of the night. Twentymillionthfan has been knocking at the door against these all year long. He has, in fact, traded wins with these, but must overcome the eight post in here.

12th race – 3-year-old colt pacers – Purse $122,702

The finale features rising star Biletnikoff. The son of Keystone Raider has enjoyed a lot of success in this division, especially as of late. He has speed and he draws post two, so he will be the one to catch. Doc’s Revenge came from the clouds to win his elimination in a lifetime best time (1:55.4). If things break down up front, he may be the one to pick up the pieces. Shark Dressed Man overcame a tough trip in his elim to finish second, and has traded wins with these earlier in the year. Caiden’s Colt finished second to Biletnikoff in his last, and can be the sleeper. He had a ton of pace last week and was flying when he was free.

Once again, post time is 7:25 p.m. Also, after the third race, there will be a special presentation in the winner’s circle to Peter Wrenn, who became only the 20th driver to win 7,000 races earlier this year.