Northville, MI – Saulsgood (Crescent Fashion – Simply Patty) and driver Jason Merriman equaled the trotting track record for a 4-year-old gelding in the Open Trot Friday night, taking the mile in 1:57.

Nine-year old aspiring horseman Ari Simmons celebrating his birthday with the connections of Saulsgood in the Northville Downs winner’s circle. Renae Parsons photo.

The previous track record was equaled Aug. 25, 2023 by Rose Run Xander and Drew Neill and the original record setter was The Land Shark and Wally McIlmurray in 2017. So now a three-way tie exists for the record, something that has never happened previously at Northville Downs.

Saulsgood also holds the record for the fastest mile for 2-year-old gelding trotters in 2:01.1 set back on Oct 8, 2021. He was bred in Michigan by Beverly and Clifford Makin, is owned by E C S Racing and trained by Kevin St. Charles. The win was the 21st of the trotter’s young career. Little Jedi finished second and Stoneborough was third.

In the winner’s circle, newly turned 9-year-old and aspiring harness horseman Ari Simmons celebrated his birthday by posing with Saulsgood and the winning connections. Ari regularly attends the races with his family and wants to be a harness driver or trainer when he is older.

In the Mares Open Pace, Cruisin Thru Time, trained and driven by Kody Massey, closed well to win over runner-up and early pacesetter Rocks StormyD (Justin Irvine) with Skyway Venus (Mike DeRuntz), who closed well for third.

Cruisin Thru Time stopped the timer in 1:56.1. It was her 23rd career win. Cruisin Thru Time is owned by Brook Daniel.

Earlier on the card, Rankin (Enterprise – Luvyaformiles) and driver Justin Irvine captured the $20,000 2-year-old Michigan Fair Final for trotting colts and geldings. The gelding, who is bred, owned and trained in Michigan by Judy Roegner, came first-up in the mile on early leader Luke’s Rainbow (Brett Boyd) and Rankin’s race bike got a flat tire just past the quarter mile pole. But the broken wheel did not deter young Irvine from his task and Rankin stormed past to take over the lead in the final turn and took off to win by a comfortable two length margin of victory over Kaa Dee Archie (Kody Massey) who was second and Bo Silas (Brad Kramer) who was third. The final clocking for the mile was 2:02.2.

The $20,000 2-year-old Michigan Fair Final for filly pacers was captured by pocket-sitter Sweet Looouuise (Yankee Cruiser – Cuda) and driver-trainer Art McIlmurray for owner-breeder John Turgliatto in 1:59.1.

Flippin Lucky (Justin Irvine) cut the mile to mid-stretch when Sweet Looouuise stormed by for the win. It was Sweet Looouuise’s maiden victory score in her fifth lifetime start.

Drivers Art McIlmurray and Kody Massey had driving hat tricks, Jason Merriman and Justin Irvine had driving doubles on the night and Art McIlmurray also had a training hat trick.

Racing at The Ville resumes Saturday (Sept. 23) at 5:15 p.m. with four non-wagering Fair Finals going for a purse of $20,000 each. That is to be followed up by a 10-race pari-mutuel wagering program starting at 7 p.m., which includes two additional $20,000 Fair Finals.

Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night through Nov. 25 with a 7 p.m. post time. For live racing dining reservations, be sure to call Northville Downs in advance at 248.924.2073.