Catch Me Conrad and driver Lindsay Moen captured the Open Pace on Saturday (July 29) at Northville Downs in 1:54, defeating Southwind Amazon and driver Justin Irvine by three-quarters of a length and thereby postponing his attempt to tie Rambling Willie as the second winningest Standardbred of all time.
Early leaders Commander Bob (David Lake) and Gabe The Babe (Drew Neill) put up fractions of :27 and :56 before Catch Me Conrad came first-up, towing Lying In Cash (Jason Merriman) and Southwind Amazon (Justin Irvine) into the race from the back. As they went by the three-quarters, Commander Bob opened up by three lengths and tripped the beam in 1:23.4, but that surge ended quickly. Catch Me Conrad appeared done at that point, which sent Lying In Cash three-wide as Catch Me Conrad slid back to the pylons. Southwind Amazon followed the three-wide move. As they turned for home, Commander Bob was overtaken by a resurgent Catch Me Conrad, who took the inside path to victory, holding off a surging Southwind Amazon in the final eighth of a mile.
Catch Me Conrad picked up his 49th career win as Southwind Amazon settled for second and Commander Bob faded to third. A son of Tellitlikeitis-Envy, Catch Me Conrad is owned and trained by Greg Cook.
Driver Justin Irvine had a triple on the night, while Kim Pluta and David Lake had doubles. Trainers Gerald Malady and Jerry Toska had doubles on the card as well.
Racing at Northville resumes Friday (Aug. 4) at 7 p.m.
(Northville; file photo of Catch Me Conrad from a 2022 win)