Northville, MI — The Michigan Standardbred industry is alive and very well-represented in North America in 2022, as the state is experiencing a boost to its purses and its overall future for the first time in years.

Memory Makin has purse earnings of $85,733 in his career and boasts a record of 28-17-4-1. Renae Parsons photo.

At the head of the class is Memory Makin (Tellitlikeitis–Bronwen Seelster), who is currently tied with Therealprincess (Source Of Pride–Deviliciously Good) for the top spot as North America’s winningest 3-year-old of any gait. Both Standardbreds have 13 wins in 2022.

Memory Makin is owned, trained and was bred by Allen Tomlinson of Mason, Mich. The gelding has purse earnings of $85,733 in his career and boasts a record of 28-17-4-1.

WHR Trust’s Fancy Flex (Flex The Muscle–Mom’s Datebook), a 3-year-old trotting filly conditioned by Krista Harmon, is currently in a three-way tie for first among sophomore trotters, with 12 wins in 2022. Fancy Flex has earned $67,022 in her career and has a race record of 19-12-2-3.

And finally, Two Birds Onestone, a 2-year-old pacing son of Black Daniels-She B Jeebeez, is now a perfect 11-for-11 in his young career, with purse earnings totaling $124,633 for owner-trainer-driver Carl Putnam Jr. and was bred in Michigan by Brian Boring and Jennifer Vollmer. Two Birds Onestone is currently second for the winningest 2-year-old pacer in North America and headlines the four divisions of the $15,000 Great Lake Stakes lineup on Friday evening at Northville Downs.

The first Michigan yearling Standardbred sale in 16 years will be held this Thursday (Sept. 29) at the Fowlerville Fairgrounds at noon. There are 44 yearlings in the sale, as well as broodmares and stallion services, in addition to race horses, and the sale is still accepting supplemental entries. The online catalog for the sale can be viewed at winnerscirclespeedsale.com.

In addition, the Mid-Michigan Standardbred Sale will be held over two days on Friday (Sept. 30) and Saturday (Oct. 1), beginning at 8:30 a.m. each day. Yearlings, weanlings and broodmares will be sold on Friday and then select and regular yearlings will be sold on Saturday.

Northville Downs live racing resumes Friday (Sept. 30) with two non-wagering divisions of the Great Lake Stakes beginning at 5:30 p.m. and then pari-mutuel racing starts at 7:30 p.m. and features two more divisions of the Great Lake Stakes (races one and three), as well as two co-featured $10,800 winners over divisions later on the card in races eight and nine.

Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night from now through Dec. 17. Friday night features dollar night with $1 pop, $1 popcorn, $1 live programs and $2 hot dogs and the outdoor grill will also be fired up on the track apron (weather permitting).