Northville Downs: Michigan Sire Stakes finals conclude

Three-year-olds on both gaits took their turn in the Michigan Sire Stakes finals on Saturday at Northville Downs. All four races took place as non-wagering events before the main pari-mutuel card.

Hunkaaah (Charles Taylor) led through panels of 30 2/5, 1:02 1/5, and 1:33 4/5 in the $108,325 colt and gelding trot, but pocket-sitter Arizona Griz, driven by trainer Kim Pluta, out-footed him in the lane to win by three-quarters of a length in 2:05 2/5. West End Willie (Rex Mapes) finished third.

A gelding by Howard Littl Man, Arizona Griz was bred by Loren Miller and is owned by Kathy Todd. This was Arizona Griz's sixth win from 19 lifetime starts, and he has now earned $144,344.

Catch This Camero (Taylor) went first-over from third past the 1:01 3/5 half in the $106,325 filly pace, and after battling with leader Cee Bee Ghee Bee (Aaron Colley) in a 29 second final quarter, Catch This Camero got up at the wire to prevail by a nose in 2:00 1/5. Ultimate Gamble (Brad Kramer) was third.

Taylor also trains Catch This Camero, a daughter of Arrow bred by Peter Otten, for owners Gordon and Pamela Gilbert. Catch This Camero has a record of 4-1-3 from 11 appearances, and she pushed her bankroll to $126,095.

Tell Me Your Dream (Tim Roach) made a two-wide move to the top spot after the 1:01 3/5 half in the $111,925 filly trot, and after reaching three-quarters in 1:30 3/5, she came home in 32 1/5 to score by 2 3/4 lengths in 2:02 4/5. Laurens Rose (Skip De Mull) was next, followed by JJ's Joker (Ed Brown).

The victorious daughter of Crest is also trained and co-owned by Roach in partnership with Paul Rousseau. The Emanuel Mullet-bred Tell Me Your Dream is now a seven-time winner from 18 efforts, and she has put away $137,259.

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In the colt and gelding pace, RB (Pluta) put up a 28 2/5 quarter and a 58 3/5 half, and then battled with pocket-pulling Thorn Toad (Roach) on the way to the 1:27 4/5 three-quarters. RB and Thorn Toad continued their duel into the lane, but Thorn Toad finally wore down RB in the drive to the wire and went by him en route to a 1 1/4 length tally in 1:56. Daniel's Son (Justin Irvine) came in third.

Thorn Toad, a Western Thorn gelding bred by Libby Myers, is trained and co-owned by Roach with partner Kyle Larner. Thorn Toad picked up his sixth victory in his 16th trip behind the gate, and he has now pocketed $145,986.