Michigan Sire Stakes champions crowned at Northville Downs

HASTINGS, Mich. — Despite rainy conditions, an exciting 10-race program at Northville Downs at Barry Expo Center on Wednesday, September 9, showcased the Michigan Sire Stakes harness racing finals before concluding with an Open Pace and an Open Trot.

The eight Michigan Sire Stakes finals featured a combined purse total of $736,500 and brought together some of the state’s top Standardbreds for an exciting afternoon of championship racing.

The $89,865 two-year-old colt and gelding trot was won by Life Blue Bayou (Muscles for Life – Sister Maggie), who scored by 10¾ lengths while establishing a new track record for a two-year-old gelding trotter of 1:59.2. Driven by Brad Kramer, Life Blue Bayou is trained by Maurice Goldschmidt Jr. and was bred and is owned by Jarold Hawks.

The victory was the gelding’s sixth consecutive win and sixth career victory, raising his lifetime earnings to $105,208.

Another track record was established in the $99,265 two-year-old colt pace when Ride or Dye (Bondi Hanover – Kwantum Key) stopped the clock in 1:55.3. Driven, trained and leased by LeWayne Miller, Ride or Dye was bred in Michigan by Libby Myers. The victory was the colt’s fifth of his young career and increased his lifetime earnings to $78,119.

The remaining divisional champions were:

$86,585 Two-Year-Old Filly Trot — Naughty Nurse (Musclesprinctonian – Red Dress Baby). Driver: Braxten Boyd; Trainer: Brett Boyd; Owners: Brett Boyd Racing Inc. and Stony Pointe Racing; Breeder: Harvey Byler.

$88,665 Two-Year-Old Filly Pace — All The Best (Luck Be Withyou – Hickory Big Black). Driver: Brandon Bates; Trainer: Tim Roach; Owner: Green Rock Stable; Breeder: Ryan Miller.

$100,000 Three-Year-Old Filly Trot — Weezabouttofindout (Muscles for Life – Cynthia Loo). Driver: David Lake; Trainer: Kent Hess; Owner: Ted Boschma; Breeder: Brad Albert Moore.

$101,000 Three-Year-Old Colt Trot — As Big As You (Big Rigs – As You Are). Driver: Don Harmon; Trainer/Owner: Krista Harmon; Breeder: David Kauffman.

$84,800 Three-Year-Old Filly Pace — Sallysmokingun (Captain Victorious – Girllookatthatbody). Driver: Brandon Bates; Trainer: Tim Roach; Owner: Lance Baylis; Breeder: Cindy Mays.

$86,320 Three-Year-Old Colt Pace — What Ma Says (Captain Victorious – Pv Miracle Mary). Driver: David Lake; Trainer: Gerald Malady; Owner: John Turgliatto; Breeder: Joseph Casagranda.

Driver David Lake led all drivers on Champions Day with three victories, while trainers Kent Hess and Tim Roach each recorded two wins on the program.

Racing at Northville Downs at Barry Expo Center shifts to a Wednesday-Thursday schedule next week, with programs scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, and Thursday, September 17. First-race post time is 1 p.m. EDT on both days.

By Kenneth W. Terpenning for Northville Downs at Barry Expo Center