The Friday spotlight at Northville Downs was on race five as six-year-old pacing mare Coqui Coqui and driver Justin Irvine captured the $9,500 Mares Open Handicap Pace in 1:55.2 by a widening 2-3/4 lengths.
Art McIlmurray and Delightful Summer set sail for the early lead, but Irvine and Coqui Coqui came bounding up to take over before the quarter pole and never looked back. In fact, the mare did it so easily that she drew off in the stretch under wraps. Delightful Summer had to settle for second. Artistic Cut and Jason Merriman closed for third.
The victory was the 16th lifetime for Coqui Coqui, who is owned by John Turgliatto and trained by Gerald Malady. The final clocking of 1:55.2 equalled her season’s best.
Driver Drew Neill took the bookends on the card with a driving double.
Racing at The Ville resumes on Saturday, July 29 at 7 p.m. with a 10-race program that features the Open Pace in race eight which includes the return of Northville’s all-time track record holder and third winningest Standardbred of all-time Southwind Amazon.
(Northville Downs)