by Mike Bozich, track announcer, Hazel Park

Hazel Park, MI — The road to Million Dollar Night began with eliminations on Thursday night (September 13) at Hazel Park Raceway, north of Detroit, Michigan.

In the first of two eliminations of the 2-year-old filly trot, it was the Keith Crawford trained and driven Careless Love who grinded away division favorite Keyanna Rose down the stretch to win in 2:03.2. The filly by Keystone Nordic has now won two in a row at this racetrack and three this year out of just eight starts. Keyanna Rose went on to finish second, and Lola’s Keeper finished third.

In the second elimination of the 2-year-old filly trot, it was the upsetter Lady Saint who went by a tiring Locksweeper in a well-timed move to win. The daughter of Davanti has improved every start since her disappointing effort at Hazel Park back in early August. Lady Saint trotted an impressive 2:01, more than two seconds better then the first elim, and nearly seven full seconds better then her previous lifetime mark. She is owned and trained by Brett Boyd of Hillsdale, Mich., and was one of five driving wins for Mike Micallef on the night.

In the first of two eliminations of the 2-year-old filly pace, it was The Other Side upsetting the field with a calculated backside brush off a slow second quarter. The daughter of Keystone Raider paced the mile in a lifetime best 1:57.4 for her second career win. She is owned by Anita Micallef and Anthony Formosa, and driven and trained by the star of Thursday night, Mike Micallef. SS Fantasy and Cadie’s Gotta Gun both rallied late to stamp their tickets for next Saturday night.

In the second elim for 2-year-old filly pacers, it was another rock solid performance from Trifecta 246’s Nillabomb, who stopped the timer just one tick off of a track record, 1:56.2. She has now won six races this year, and the Eric Beach trainee shows no signs of letting up. Coopers Niece was second best, and longshot IMA Keeper finished fourth, but was moved up to third after third place finisher Criss Cross was disqualified and placed sixth for causing interference just before the half.

There were three exciting eliminations for the 2-year-old colt pace. The first went to the Pete Wrenn trained and driven Reminic, who took them gate-to-wire in 1:56 flat. The heavily favored son of Keystone Raider has now won two straight and five out of 10 starts. Kevin Sywyk’s Aloha Reggie finished a distant second, while division newcomer RIP Daddy finished a game third, despite being parked most of the mile.

In elim two, Team Micallef struck gold again, this time with the son of Hawaiian Cowboy, Seth Bullock. Seth got the perfect trip behind favorite The Admiral, and grinded him away in the sprint down the lane. The Admiral, who cut pedestrian fractions of :28.2, :59, and 1:28.3, finished second for the eighth time out of 10 starts. Catnapper failed to close off the soft, early fractions, but still punched his ticket to Million Dollar Night by finishing a distant third.

Elimination three saw ultra talented Benn’s Shotgun making a visit to the winner’s circle. Shotgun has now won five races this year and has banked over $30,000 in his young career. His open-stretch move bested a game SF Overcast, who gamely held second. Doc’s Watson, making his Hazel Park Raceway debut, came wide off cover to finish third. Benn’s Shotgun paced the mile in 1:56.4 which is still a second off of his lifetime finest.

Elimination action continues on Friday night (September 14) at Hazel Park Raceway, with an early non-betting race at 6:45 p.m. (EDT), followed by the regular wagering card at 7:25 p.m.

2-year-old colt trot (one elimination, early race 6:45 p.m.)

Keykeeper: The undefeated run came to an end last start at Hazel Park with a second place finish to Long Story Short. He is still the one to beat in this division however, earning just shy of $50,000 in just eight starts. He has beaten mostly everybody in here and a clear trip should see the son of Lockkeeper stamp his ticket to the big dance next week.

Long Story Short: Second leading money earner in the division came from behind to end the undefeated streak of Keykeeper in his last. He has a big post advantage over his rival (post one to post seven). The rivalry should boil over to next week, but another chapter should be written on Friday night.

Enzo: This feisty son of Score A Success should not be taken lightly. He has had some success of his own, especially in his last two (both wins.) He set a lifetime mark two starts back at Hazel Park (2:01.4) while defeating the easier of two divisions on Breeder’s Night. He is right behind Long Story Short in divisional earnings, and can race from on or off the trot.

Nordic Venture: Talk about a horse that is going good. He has looked very sharp in his last three races, which included a near miss to Enzo, and a dominating performance at Kinross. He must start from the second tier on Friday night, and that sometimes doesn’t sit well with young trotters. Still, a clean trip could put him right there.

3-year-old filly pace (three eliminations: races four, six, and 10)

Princess Michi: She has flat out dominated a division as much as you can dominate one. She has won 11 of 12, and is showing no signs of mercy. In her last win, she set her lifetime mark of 1:56.2. If she continues her impressive dominance, and there is no reason she won’t, she will be the star of the show on September 22. She is a very special mare.

Summer Vacation: Can she stop the Michi express? Well, let’s not put the cart before the horse. She is in a different elim and must overcome the eight post to make the cut. However, she took the best the Princess had to offer last start and actually was gaining on her in the stretch. She also has the leading trainer of the meet in her corner.

Love Letters: She is in the same elim as the above and drew the nine hole, so getting to Million Dollar Night won’t be an easy task. However, she has consistently been knocking at the door with plenty of seconds and thirds. This team of Formosa and Micallef had a heck of a Thursday, so they are the hot hand right now.

Happyville: Can she be the upsetter? Well, she has paced in 1:56.4 and 1:55.2 since adding lasix. She is the new kid on the block, and hasn’t battled the mainstays of the division, but she can fly. Micallef will drive her, and we may get some idea of her talent level, as she is in the same elim with the Princess.

3-year-old filly trot (two eliminations: races five and 11)

Benns Wildcat: She has a lot of heart, as she gamely fought off YF Meemo on Breeder’s Night with a comeback victory. She is second in earnings in the division with $50,642. She gave way late at Kinross to Gianna in the second of two heats in her last start. The daughter of Lockkeeper is all but certain to be at Hazel Park on September 22.

Gianna: She is her own biggest obstacle out there. If she can mind her manners, she will be tough. Leading money earner in the division, her versatile racing style has led her to some pretty impressive performances. She and Wildcat are in the same elim, so the rivalry continues on Friday night.

YF Meemo: She quickly overcame the tough loss to Wildcat with a new lifetime mark in her next start at Hazel Park in an overnight affair. Owner/trainer/driver Lawrence Young wanted to give her some confidence heading into the big dance and his mission was accomplished. He draws the rail in the opposite elim of the above two. A major player.

Lady Lockkeeper: She had high hopes coming into the year but has been a bit of an underachiever. She was favored in July against many of these same foes at Jackson and finished a decent second to Gianna. Since then, she has been her own worst enemy, with two straight breaks in the Wolverine elim and final. The good news is, in her last two efforts she stayed flat, and she keeps Hazel’s leading driver Pete Wrenn.

The action continues on Saturday at Hazel Park Raceway with eliminations for the 3-year-old colt trotters and pacers.