Northville, MI — Lying In Cash and driver Jason Merriman went a long mile in Saturday night’s (June 17) featured $10,800 Open Handicap Pace at Northville Downs to win by a neck in a blanket finish in 1:55.4.

Seemingly a majority of the field left for the early lead. Jet’s Sureshot and Let’snotforget settled into the top two spots early, which left Youmakemyheartsing and Lying In Cash parked out two- and three-wide, respectively, for most of the mile.

As they scrambled for position, the field went by the opening quarter in :27.2 with Jet’s Sureshot and Bart Stimer in the lead, Art McIlmurray and Youmakemyheartsing in the two-path, and Lying In Cash stuck out three-wide before Merriman could wrangle his charge back to a second-over position behind Youmakemyheartsing as they went to the half in 55.3. As they pushed to three-quarters in 1:25, Jet’s Sureshot, who finished third, was overtaken into the stretch by eventual runner-up Youmakemyheartsing, who was then overtaken by a three-wide Lying In Cash at the wire with the top five horses separated by only a half length. There was a dead heat for fourth between RJP and Coalfordbythesea.

Lying In Cash endured an overland journey and narrowly prevailed in the Open Pace at Northville on Saturday night. Renae Parsons photo.

Lying In Cash is bred, owned and trained in Michigan by Techia Lohmann. His 32nd career win pushed his lifetime earnings to $214,346.

Drivers Justin Irvine, Lindsay Moen and Kody Massey all had doubles on the night; trainer Gerald Malady had a double as well.

Racing at Northville resumes Friday, June 23, 2023 at 7 p.m. Friday nights feature $1 live programs, $1 pop and popcorn, $2 hot dogs and beer, as well as hamburger and cheeseburger specials. Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night through Sept. 30 with a 7 p.m. nightly post time. For live racing dining reservations, be sure to call Northville Downs in advance at 248.924.2073.