Enchanted Mission and driver Marc St. Louis Jr. captured the co-featured $10,800 Open Trot and Eyes Dont Lie with Winter Asher-Stalbaum took down the $10,800 Fillies and Mares Open Pace on Friday night (Oct. 14) at Northville Downs.
In race eight, eight year-old gelding Enchanted Mission came from off the pace, getting away fourth behind pacesetter Travlin Swan and driver Art McIlmurray. Marc St. Louis Jr. guided Enchanted Mission first-up going to the half and eventually grinded past to get up for the win in the final strides in 1:58.4 for trainer Danielle St. Louis and owner Dr. Joshua Tanis. The victory for Enchanted Mission (Manofmanymissions–Enchantment) was career win number 24 and his second in a row.
In race nine, Winter Asher-Stalbaum took advantage of the inside post position to get to the top early with Eyes Dont Lie only to yield to Bearcreekhoney and driver Kim Pluta just past the quarter. Winter popped the pocket at the half and retook the lead then opened up five lengths up the backside, tripping the beam to three-quarters in an eye-popping 1:24.3 -- a third quarter in :27.4. The duo hung on in the stretch to win by just under two lengths in 1:55.4. It was the 13th career win for the five-year-old Roll With Joe-Michelles Ideal mare.
Northville Downs will race its next live program on Saturday, Oct 15. First-race post time remains 7:30 p.m. each night and Northville Downs races each Friday and Saturday night through Dec. 17.
(With files from Northville Downs; Photo of Enchanted Mission winning in June at Northville Downs by Renae Parsons)