The 20-year-old track record for the fastest ever dead heat on the pace at the distance of a mile at Northville Downs fell on Friday night (Aug. 11) as Shes Cruising Home and Juxta Cowgirl dead-heated for the win in the featured $9,500 Mares Open Pace in a final clocking of 1:54.4. 

Both mares left for the early lead and settled one-two with Juxta Cowgirl leading and Shes Cruising Home in the pocket as Princesa Alta sat parked the entire mile pressing the top pair to a quarter in :27.3, a half-mile in 56.1 and three-quarters timed in 1:24.1. As they worked into the stretch, Princess Alta tired a bit after her long journey. Shes Cruising Home slid up the lightning lane taking a shot at the leader Juxta Cowgirl, but could only get even with the early leader to settle for a dead heat. Princesa Alta managed to hang on for third. 

Shes Cruising Home (Net Ten Eom-Cruisin in Pink) won for the 32nd time in her career. She is co-owned by Becky Zubkoff and Erik Chappell, is trained by Becky Zubkoff and was driven by Drew Neill.

Juxta Cowgirl (Relentless Yankee – Juxtaposition) won for the 54th time in her career. She is owned by Rick Howles and trained and driven by Art McIlmurray. 

The previous track record for a dead heat was set back on Dec. 27, 2003 by Blue Oxfords (Brad Kramer) and Bayside Hall (Larry Stalbaum) in 1:56.1.

Racing at The Ville resumes on Saturday, Aug 12 at 7 p.m. and features an 11-race program.

(Northville Downs)