Northville, MI — Rankin (Enterprise-Luvyaformiles) and driver Justin Irvine cruised to a new track record in the $15,895 Michigan Breeders Futurity Trot for 2-year-old colts and geldings on Friday (Oct. 6) at Northville Downs, winning in 2:00.4 and breaking Saulsgood’s 2021 track record for 2-year-old trotting geldings by two-fifths of a second.

Rankin, who is bred, owned and trained in Michigan by Judy Roegner, earned his seventh career win from 11 starts.

Rankin became the fastest rookie trotting gelding in Northville Downs history with a 2:00.4 score in his Michigan Breeders Futurity split. Renae Parsons photo.

Roegner’s Don’ttouchmytruck (Racing Hill-Age of Consent) gave her a breeder/owner/trainer double on the card and also gave her a Michigan Breeders Futurity double as the 3-year-old pacing gelding captured the $16,045 MBF Pace in a track record-equaling performance of 1:54.1, opening up on the rain-soaked field to win for the eighth time in his career. The final clocking equaled his own track record he set back on Sept 23, 2023. The gelding paced his third quarter in :27.4 and his final quarter in :28.1 to win by a widening 5-1/2 lengths.

In the $15,745 MBF for three-year-old filly pacers, Tothemoonandback (Tellitlikeitis-Moonlit Shark) and driver John Moody won from off the pace for owner Michael Pankow, trainer Kevin St. Charles and breeder Brett Boyd Racing in 1:58.3.

Flippin Lucky (Manhardt-Johnny Made Her) and driver Justin Irvine captured the $15,595 MBF Pace for 2-year-old filly pacers after getting trapped behind the tiring front runners and ending up shuffled to fifth in the six-horse field. Flippin Lucky shook loose turning for home and got up for the win in the shadow of the wire in 2:01.1. Flippin Lucky was bred in Michigan by Libby Myers, is owned by Rick and Geoffrey Howles, and is trained by Peter Otten. It was the sixth career win for the filly.

Five non-wagering events were held prior to the pari-mutuel card as part of the Michigan Breeders Futurities. Here are the results:

2-year-old filly trot: Sunsetacres Girl (Sunsetacres Banker-Dolce Far Niente) Dr: Don Harmon, Tr: Krista Harmon, O: Thestable Sunsetacresgirl, Br: Henry Detweiler, MI; Time: 2:05.2

2-year-old male pace: Goodness Garycious (Tellitlikeitis – Cambeth) Dr: Don Harmon, Tr: Al Tomlinson, O: Darwin & Ann Shaver and Laura Perniciaro, Br: Darwin & Ann Shaver and Laura Perniciaro, MI; Time: 1:57.3

3-year-old filly trot: It’s Wine Time (What the Hill – Ok’s Lorann) Dr: Brad Kramer, Tr: Al Tomlinson, Br: Ann Shaver, Beth Thelen and Laura Perniciaro, Br: Ann Shaver, Beth Thelen and Laura Perniciaro, MI; Time: 2:00.2

3-year-old male trot (division 1): Peter the Con (Uncle Peter – Jesse’s Con) O/Tr: Sandra Hennessey , Dr: Kim Pluta, Br: Lee Sitto, MI; Time: 1:59.0

3-year-old male trot (division 2): Kaa Dee Jerry (Southwind Russet – Can’t Fire Me) Dr: Kody Massey, Tr: Kent Hess, O/Br: Marjorie Deshetsky, MI; 2:04.1

Jason Merriman had a driving grand slam while Justin Irvine, Don Harmon, and Lindsay Moen all had driving doubles on the night. Kevin St. Charles, Judy Roegner, Al Tomlinson and Roger Bertera all had training doubles.

Racing at Northville resumes Saturday (Oct. 6) at 7 p.m. with a 12-race pari-mutuel wagering program starting at 7 p.m. 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.