Half of the $20,000 Michigan Fair Finals were held Friday (Sept. 23) at Northville Downs as non-wagering events, but they did not disappoint for the fans on-track or those watching online.
The two-year-old colts and geldings pacer division was hammered down in a track record equaling performance by Two Birds Onestone (Black Daniels–She B Jeebeez), in a final clocking of 1:56.4, a record previously set in 2017 by McFly.
It was the 11th start on the year for Two Birds Onestone, who is now a perfect 11 for 11 in his young career with purse earnings totaling $124,633. Owner Carl Putnam Jr. had the reins and handles the conditioning. Brian Boring and Jennifer Vollmer are the gelding’s breeders. Putnam had two driving wins on the evening as he doubled up with Calm As Can Bee in race three of the pari-mutuel card as well.
The Friday night card featured the $10,800 Open Trot which was captured by 12-1 longshot Castyourcrown (Dontyouforgetit - Future Cast) for owners Blake Daniels and Never Give Up Racing and breeder Nathan Miller. Driver/trainer Michael Deruntz steered the gelding to victory in grinding first-up fashion to stop the timer in 1:58.3, defeating pace-setter and eventual runner-up Enchanted Mission (Marc St. Louis, Jr) in the stretch, by one-quarter of a length.
Driver Marc St. Louis, Jr. continued his mission as the meet’s leading driver with the hot hands finishing the night with three winning drives while Northville newcomer Drew Neill ended the night with two driving wins on the card.
Northville Downs live racing resumes Saturday (Sept. 24) with four more non-wagering fair finals beginning at 5:30 p.m. and 12 pari-mutuel dashes starting at 7:30 p.m. Northville Downs races every Friday and Saturday night from now through December 17.
(Northville Downs)