Northville Downs hosted the Michigan Sire Stakes finals on Friday, Sept. 8, with stakes purses totalling $666,000 that included four non-wagering finals for the four pacing divisions and then four trotting divisions on the pari-mutuel program.
Three-year-old pacing gelding Twobirdsonestone (Black Daniels-She B Jeebeez) captured his $90,000 final in 1:58.4 coming from an early third position to win from off the pace as Fitz Bobbins (Justin Irvine) finished second and Haste Make Waste (Tim Roach) was third. Twobirdsonestone (pictured above) remains undefeated on the year, seven-for-seven in 2023. The gelding is conditioned by 71-year-old trainer Carl Putnam Jr., who also owns and drives the pacer. Twobirdsonestone now boasts a resume of 20 lifetime starts, 19 wins and one second with earnings of $225,296. Twobirdsonestone was bred in Michigan by Brian Boring and Jennifer Vollmer.
Mega Diamond (Megatron-Getoutthediamonds) and Justin Irvine captured the $90,000 three-year-old filly pacing final in 1:59.4 in front-running fashion for breeder and owner Brett Boyd Racing and trainer Brett Boyd. Mega Diamond held off a late surge by Grey Lingerie (Rick Dobson), who was second, and Harper Jane (Charles Taylor) was third. It was Mega Diamond’s fifth win in her seventh lifetime start.
The $90,000 two-year-old colt pace was taken by Mr Pnut (Manhardt-Marmaria), who closed well from third early in the mile to defeat Kourageous Key (Brad Kramer) and Isle of Man (Justin Irvine). Mr Pnut covered the mile in a new lifetime best of 2:00.2 for trainer/driver Art McIlmurray and owner/breeder Staci Malady. It was his fourth win in just his eighth career start.
The $90,000 two-year-old filly pace was snagged by Flippin Lucky (Manhardt-Johnny Made Her) and Justin Irvine, who led wire-to-wire in 1:58 over Forever A Flirt (Brad Kramer) in second and Solidazabrickhouse (Don Harmon) third. Flippin Lucky was bred in Michigan by Libby Myers and is owned by Rick and Geoffrey Howles and trained by Peter Otten. Flippin Lucky garnered her third win in her sixth lifetime start.
Trained by Monica Krist, Bluemoon Glide (Blueglide Volo-Fox Valley Medusa) and owner/driver Rick Dobson won for the eighth time in career start number 20 in the $90,000 three-year-old colt trot in coast-to-coast fashion in 2:00.3 over Head Of Security (Art McIlmurray) and Smash The Rail (Scott Altizer). Bluemoon Glide was bred in Michigan by Orla Bontrager.
Krystals Jewel (Monsieur Claude-Krystals Affair) and driver Don Harmon took the $72,000 three-year-old filly trot in a new lifetime mark in 2:01.1, closing to win over runner-up Jolene Kay (Kody Massey) and third-place finisher Psalmsfortysixfive (David Lake). It was the sixth victory for Krystals Jewel, who is bred in Michigan by Matthew Bontrager and owned and trained by Samuel Eicher.
The $72,000 two-year-old colt trot was taken by early third-place sitter Smashingoodmatch (Smashed-Agoodmatch), who closed to win over T L Waldo (Don Harmon) and Sonofaseecook (Marc St. Louis Jr.). Smashingoodmatch is owned by Ted Boschma and trained by Kent Hess and it was the gelding’s fifth win in career start number eight. He covered the distance in a time of 2:04.1, a new lifetime mark.
The $72,000 two-year-old filly trot was won by Tim Roach’s and Willa Rousseau’s Elians Lightning (Southwind Elian-Show Me The Light), who also got away third in her race and managed to close for the 2:05.3 win. Velma Kelly (Art McIlmurray) was second and Sunsetacres Girl (Don Harmon) finished third. Elians Lightning is trained and driven by Tim Roach and she captured her sixth career win in her eighth lifetime start.
In addition to the eight Sire Stakes finals, the $9,500 Open Trot was won in coast-to-coast fashion by Stoneborough (Airzoom Lindy-Ceana) and owner/trainer/driver Bart Stimer in 1:57.4. Stoneborough looked strong the entire mile and defeated runner-up Holton (Justin Irvine) and Rose Run Xander (Drew Neill), who was third. It was the 27th career win for Stoneborough.
Racing continues Saturday night, Sept. 9 and will be contested every Friday and Saturday night through and including Sept. 30. First race post time will be 7 p.m. each race night throughout the meet.
(With files from Northville Downs)