Northville, MI — Northville Downs kicks off their 2023 meet this weekend, with live racing on Friday (April 7) and Saturday (April 8).

Friday night features the $10,800 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace. A field of seven will do battle, with Will Johnson’s Princess Rougarou, a lifetime earner of $338,319, leading the charge. She will take on the likes of Sam Mignano’s Danikova, who has earned $363,206 in her lifetime, as well as Sandra Hennessey and Paula Sugars’ Sugar Dance, who has earned $225,470 lifetime. Rounding out the field are Fiftyshadesofbliss, Artistic Cut, Cousin Margie and Come On Over.

Friday also features the popular ‘dollar night’ at Northville with $1 popcorn, live racing programs, pop, and win bets, as well as $2 hot dogs, beer and hamburger specials on-track.

Saturday’s program features a multitude of aged campaigners who have all earned their share of purses over their careers. In the $9,000 Open 2 Pace (race two), Liberal ($343,816), Magic Shark ($268,865) and Quality Closer (1:49.2, $520,947) lead the field of seven. The three have combined for 133 lifetime wins and over $1.13 million in purses earned.

Then, in race four, the featured $10,800 Open 1 Pace, a field of seven competitors will duke it out. Leading the way in this group is 28-time winner and 2022 Michigan Aged Pacer of the Year Lying In Cash (1:50, $189,290), who captured 10 wins in 2022, including eight of those at the Open level at Northville. Taking on the 2022 Michigan champion are 54-time winner Dusto, 42-time winner Oh K Man, 20-time winner Jet’s Sureshot, 16-time winner Rockin Rusty, 9-time winner Pitt Panda and 26-time winner Ticks A Yankin. The field has a combined for 195 lifetime wins and purse earnings just shy of $1.5 million.

Saturday night’s program features a $1 Pick-3 wager (races 4-6) and a $1 Pick-4 (races 6-9).

Racing will be contested every Friday and Saturday night from April 7 through and including Sept. 30. First race post time will be 7 p.m. each race night throughout the meet. For live racing dining reservations, call 248.924.2073.