Some More Prince and driver Matt Kakaley captured the first ever $8,000 Barb Kakaley Memorial Trot at Northville Downs on Friday night (Nov. 10).
Matt Kakaley grew up on the backstretch at Northville Downs with his grandmother Barb Kakaley, who was everyone’s favourite person around the Michigan oval over the years. In a first of Matt’s career, he took to Northville on Friday night to drive on the program and after three fifth-place finishes to start out the night, Matt found the front with David Lake trainee Some More Prince for owner David Beachy and the duo never looked back to go on to win the race named in honour of his grandmother, by eight emphatic lengths in 1:57.3. Little Jedi closed well for second and Stoneborough finished third.
Some More Prince, an eight-year-old Rosemont Principal gelding, earned his 31st career win. For Matt Kakaley, it marked his 6,350th career driving win.
In the winner’s circle, surrounded by a huge part of the Kakaley clan, Matt expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be able to drive at Northville before the track closes.
“It means so much to be able to drive at the place I ran around at as a kid and to win this race in honour of my grandmother is special,” he said.
Barb Kakaley was known to so many as Matt’s number one fan, so, special it was indeed.
The $9,500 Fillies & Mares Open Pace was won in wire-to-wire fashion by Juxta Cowgirl and driver/trainer Art McIlmurray for owner Rick Howles. The nine-year-old Relentless Yankee mare held off a late passing lane surge by Artistic Cut while Danikova finished third. The win was the 55th of Juxta Cowgirl’s career as she stopped the timer in 1:57.
The $9,500 Open Trot was also won in wire-to-wire fashion by Travlin Swan for driver/trainer McIlmurray and owner Staci Malady in a time of 1:57. It was the 25th career win for the seven-year-old Swan For All gelding. Rose Run Vincent finished second in the race and Marvin Hagler was placed third after a pylon violation moved Castyourcrown from third to fourth.
Driver/trainer McIlmurray had a hat trick on the night, as did driver Jason Merriman, while Kakaley had a driving double. Lake and Brian Downing had training doubles.
Racing at The Ville resumes on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. with a nine-race program.
Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night through Nov. 25 with a 7 p.m. post time.
(With files from Northville Downs)