Rose Run Vincent and Delightful Summer won the opening night features at Northville Downs on Friday, Jan. 5.
In the $14,211 Open Handicap Trot, favourite Travlin Swan and Art McIlmurray fired to the front and put up fractions of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:27.2, all the while being stalked in the pocket by 2-1 second choice Rose Run Vincent and trainer/driver David Lake. As the trotters entered the stretch, Rose Run Vincent slingshot past the pacesetter for the 1:57.4 victory by a three-quarters of a length. Travlin Swan settled for second with Mystical Lane finishing back in third for John Moody.
Rose Run Vincent (And Away We Go-Real Housewife) collected his 21st career victory. The seven-year-old gelding is owned by David Beachy and the win was part of a training-driving double on the card for Lake.
In the $14,211 Mares Open Handicap Pace, Allboutthematerial and Lake rocketed to the early lead, setting the pace in :28.2 to the quarter, :58.2 to the half and 1:27.2 to three-quarters, as Delightful Summer and driver Kody Massey stalked from the pocket to the head of the lane. As the mares turned for home, 9-2 shot Delightful Summer and the drafting position proved too much as she went by to take the Mares Open by a half-length over Allboutthematerial in 1:56. Sanna Cruza A and Austin Hanners finished third.
Delightful Summer (Quality Western-Midsummer Delight) earned her 20th career win. The seven-year-old mare is owned by Crazy Parrot Farm and trained by Danielle St. Louis, who sent out a pair of winners on the night.
Drivers Marc St. Louis Jr. and Justin Irvine also doubled up on the card.
Racing at The Ville resumes on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. with an eight-race program on the docket.
(With files from Northville Downs; Photo of Delightful Summer in a previous win)