A pair of Opens shared the Friday (July 14) spotlight at Northville Downs as six-year-old pacing mare Delightful Summer and six-year-old trotting gelding Holton won their respective divisions.
The co-featured top trot was taken by Holton, who went four-wide down the backstretch to get up for a quarter-length margin in a thrilling blanket finish, winning in 1:57.1 for driver Justin Irvine, trainer Maurice Goldschmidt Jr. and owner Oldford Racing. Holton prevailed over a fast-closing I Get It and Saulsgood, who closed well for third.
Early leaders Stoneborough and Swan Leader put up fast opening fractions of :27.1, :56.3 and 1:26 to three-quarters that ultimately led to their undoing in the back-half of the race.
Holton (Dontyouforgetit-Mamas Brokn Heart) earned his 15th career win.
In the co-featured event for mares, Delightful Summer used her inside post position to take command early with driver Marc St. Louis Jr. She then staved off challenges from a first-up Princess Rockette and a pocket-sitting Skyway Rockatop to hang on for a wire-to-wire score by a half-length in 1:55.1. Skyway Rockatop took second money and Shes Cruising Home closed well for third.
Delightful Summer (Quality Western-Midsummer Delight) eanred her 18th career win. She is owned by Crazy Parrot Farm and is trained by Danielle St. Louis.
On the night, David Lake and Drew Neill had driving doubles.
Racing at The Ville resumes on Saturday at 7 p.m.
(With files from Northville Downs; Photo of Delightful Summer winning earlier this year)