Quality Closer and Marc St. Louis Jr. launched off the car and never looked back to take the final $10,800 Open Pace at Northville Downs in 2022 in a scintillating 1:53.3 on a cold, snowy night on Saturday night (Dec. 18).
Quality Closer put up all the fractions in the mile of :27, :55.1, 1:23.3 and stopped the timer in 1:53.3. The only challenge came in the last turn by Princess Rockette, the lone mare in the race, but she could only manage to get within a length of the winner. Quality Closer’s final margin of victory was a length and three-quarters for Louis Jr., who captured the 2022 Northville driving title over runner-up Kody Massey and his fellow competitors.
This was the 51st win for Quality Closer, second in a row and his ninth on the season. His lifetime earnings went to $502,667 with Saturday's win as well. Mark Headworth trains the 10-year-old Quality Western gelding and co-owns with Christopher Knecht.
Driver Kody Massey had a big night with four wins and trainer Elizabeth Tolley took down three training wins on the night, making it a close finish for the leading trainer title, but Paul Cloer Jr. hung on to win the training title by three wins over Tolley, who closed to be second in the final standings.
Northville Downs live racing resumes in 2023 on Friday, April 7, 2023 at 7 p.m. (EST). Northville Downs will race each Friday and Saturday night from April 7 through Sept. 30, 2023.
Northville Downs wishes to thank its patrons, fans, staff and management and the horsemen and women for a fabulous 2022 meet and happy holidays to all!
(Northville Downs)