Driver Kody Massey and trainer Chis Allen teamed up to sweep a pair of Opens that shared the Friday spotlight at Northville Downs with five-year-old trotter Plumville Prince and six-year-old pacing mare She The North.
The $9,500 Open Handicap Trot was taken by Plumville Prince (Father Patrick-Lady Athens), who was parked out past the quarter then cleared before the half and never looked back. He won by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:56.4, just one-fifth of a second off the Northville track record for an aged trotting horse. Holton, who won the Open last week, overcame traffic trouble to be second and Saulsgood finished third. A six-time winner, Plumville Prince is currently owned by Harvey Byler.
In the co-featured event for mares, She The North (Sunshine Beach-Western Jewel) closed from second-over to win in 1:55.2 by 2-1/2 lengths. She The North staved off challenges from Coqui Coqui, Eyes Dont Lie and Racing Life down the stretch to earn her 13th career win. The mare is owned by Fly Fancy Stables. Eyes Dont Lie settled for second and Racing Life closed well for third.
Massey had five driving wins on the night while John Moody had a driving double. Allen and Paul Cloer Jr. each had training doubles.
Racing at The Ville resumes on Saturday, July 22 at 7 p.m.
(With files from Northville Downs; Photo of Kody Massey winning earlier this month at Northville Downs)