Lying In Cash ($10) and Copper Coast A ($23.20) were the top performers on opening weekend of Northville Downs' 2021 fall meet, taking their respective $8,800 Open Paces on Saturday night (Sept. 18).
Chicago invader Lying In Cash, whose 1:55.2 mile was jointly the fastest on the nine-race program, circled three-wide for early control before rebuffing a challenge from favourite Diesel Accelerator en route to victory over Ogradys First Man. Don Harmon drove the five-year-old Aracache Hanover gelding to his third seasonal win for trainer Scott Galloway and owner Techia Lohmann.
The other Open event saw Betty Tauber's Copper Coast A stalk a contested pace, circle three-wide into the far turn, and eclipse World Of Gaming in deep stretch to win in 1:56.4. Jason Merriman, who led all drivers with three wins on the Saturday program, drove the 11-year-old Modern Art gelding — now a 48-time winner — for trainer Ron Van Wagoner.
Michigan Sire Stakes headlines the upcoming week of racing at Northville, with two-year-olds competing on Friday, Sept. 24 and three-year-olds on Saturday, Sept. 25. The 28-night stand features live racing every Friday and Saturday through December 18. Post time is 7:30 p.m.
(Michigan Harness Horsemen's Association)