The Friday (Nov. 11) card of harness racing at Northville Downs featured a pair of $10,800 Open events, with Sara Jane and Travelin Swan emerging victorious.
Sara Jane and driver Kody Massey (pictured above) bided their time in the Mares Open Pace getting away sixth behind the early pacesetter Eyes Dont Lie and driver Winter Asher-Stalbaum. That duo set the early fractions in :27.4 and :56.4 to the half. Princess Rougarou and Art McIlmurray came first up past the half, giving a cover trip to Sara Jane. Princess Rougarou took over past three-quarters in 1:25.4, when Sara Jane ranged up alongside turning for home. Sara Jane drew off to win by a length in 1:55.4 for her 10th career victory.
Now with earnings of $133,182, five-year-old Sara Jane (McArdle - Gargantua Hanover) is owned by Lases Racing and trained by Paul Cloer Jr.
In the Open Trot, early leader Stoneborough and driver Bart Stimer set the first half fractions in :27.2 and :58.4 before yielding to the eventual winner, Travlin Swan and driver Art McIlmurray, down the backstretch past three-quarters in 1:27.3. From there, Travlin Swan coasted home a half-length winner in 1:58.4 over a hard-charging I Get It (Bob Rowland) who finished second and Swan Leader finished in third.
A six-year-old son of Swan For All - Kandys Kid, Travlin Swan’s lifetime earnings were elevated to $102,943 with the win and it marked his 14th career victory. Staci Malady owns Travlin Swan, who is conditioned by Art McIlmurray.
Northville Downs live racing resumes Saturday (Nov. 12) at 7:30 p.m with an 11-race program on tap. Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night through Dec. 17.
(Northville)