Jets Sureshot came up big with driver Kim Pluta to win the Saturday night $10,800 featured Open Handicap Pace at Northville Downs.
It was a mad scramble for early position as favourite Lying In Cash, Oh K Man and Ticks A Yankin exchanged the lead position three times before the half. Jets Sureshot looked on from fifth as the field went :28 to the quarter and :56.2 to the half. Pluta pulled his charge to a second-over position up the backstretch behind Pitt Panda, who battled Ticks A Yankin to three-quarters in 1:25.2.
As they turned for home, Jets Sureshot swung wide for the drive and got up to win by a nose over Oh K Man, who was resurgent in the passing lane down the stretch, but had to settle for second, while Lying In Cash, who got shuffled out the back early on, closed well for third. The final clocking was 1:55.1 for the talented group.
Bart Stimer conditions seven-year-old Jets Sureshot, who is owned and bred in
Meanwhile, in the Open 2 Pace, driver Kody Massey and eight-year-old Magic Shark dazzled to a wire-to-wire score in the weekend’s fastest mile time of 1:53.3 holding off a late charge by pocket-sitter Liberal by a head.
Magic Shark is trained by Elizabeth Tolley and owned by Gary Wilmoth.
Racing at The Ville resumes Friday, April 14 at 7 p.m. Friday night is dollar night with $1 live programs, $1 pop, $1 popcorn, $2 hot dogs, beer and hamburger specials. Northville races every Friday and Saturday night from now until Sept. 30.
(Northville Downs)