Hastings, MI, August 21, 2025
News Summary
The Michigan Sire Stakes race card on August 19 witnessed an unprecedented event in harness racing with a historic two-horse dead heat. Both New Plan Stan and Chip of the South crossed the finish line together in the colt and gelding trotters division, clocking in at 2:08.2. This thrilling moment captivated spectators as the third-place horse trailed significantly behind. The event also highlighted several other notable performances, including victories in the three-year-old filly trotters division and the three-year-old colt and gelding pacers division, showcasing the talent within the harness racing community.
Hastings, MI
The Michigan Sire Stakes race card on August 19 at Hastings, MI, featured an unprecedented event in harness racing—a historic two-horse dead heat for victory in the colt and gelding trotters division. Both New Plan Stan, driven by Greg Bateson, and Chip of the South, driven by Rick Dobson, crossed the finish line in exactly 2:08.2, marking a rare and thrilling moment for spectators and competitors alike.
In the sixth race, co-owned New Plan Stan, whose pedigree includes Musclesprinctonian and Vegas Sunset, shared the spotlight with Chip of the South, co-owned by Teresa Marotta, Melissa Kesler, Rick Dobson, and trained by Monica Krist. Both horses displayed remarkable performance, with New Plan Stan and Chip of the South finishing neck and neck, while the third-place runner, Bandsrompawaykid, driven by David Lake, trailed significantly over 12 lengths behind the champions.
Additionally, race five delivered more excitement as JM Rigs, owned by Justin Irvine and Jessica Otten, stormed to victory after overcoming an early challenge. The horse, noted for its pedigree featuring Big Rigs and Filly Bay, completed the race in a quick 2:08.2. Its trainer and driver, Justin Irvine, skillfully navigated the horse to success against tough competition.
In other noteworthy results, Capella Star, owned, trained, and driven by Lavern Miller, won the three-year-old filly trotters division in 2:05. Furthermore, Westwinds Pegasus, also trained and driven by Miller, clinched victory in its division for three-year-old filly trotters, finishing with a time of 2:02.4.
The three-year-old colt and gelding pacers division witnessed Hardt of a King, owned and trained by Kelly Goodwin and driven by Brad Kramer, achieve victory with a time of 2:00.4. Additionally, Uallgonnamakemeloo, owned by Rockstar Meadows and trained/ driven by Lewayne Miller, claimed its division’s victory in 2:03.
Importantly, Lewayne Miller achieved a noteworthy milestone with a driving and training double during the event, further showcasing his prowess in the field.
Historically, the Michigan Sire Stakes serve as a significant platform for promoting the breeding of Standardbred horses in the state. The annual series highlights the talents of both horses and drivers, providing thrilling racing experiences for fans and participants alike. The Sire Stakes are pivotal to harness racing in Michigan, offering opportunities, as well as fostering growth within the industry.
In a lighter moment during the event, Ty Goodell celebrated his first-ever pari-mutuel win in race two, guiding Precious Cat, owned by Carolyn and Frederick Shiery and trained by Sam Eicher, to victory.
Looking ahead, racing at Northville Downs is set to resume on August 20, featuring the first race post time scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, which will include divisions of the two-year-old Michigan Sire Stakes.
Key Race Results Summary:
| Race | Winner | Time | Owner(s) | Driver/Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | New Plan Stan / Chip of the South | 2:08.2 | Ernest Ayers, Greg Bateson / Teresa Marotta, Melissa Kesler, Rick Dobson | Greg Bateson / Rick Dobson |
| 5 | JM Rigs | 2:08.2 | Justin Irvine, Jessica Otten | Justin Irvine |
| 3 | Capella Star | 2:05 | Lavern Miller | Lavern Miller |
| 4 | Westwinds Pegasus | 2:02.4 | Lewayne Miller, Platinum Stables | Lewayne Miller |
| Colt/Gelding Pacers | Hardt of a King | 2:00.4 | Kelly Goodwin | Brad Kramer |
| Colt/Gelding Pacers | Uallgonnamakemeloo | 2:03 | Rockstar Meadows | Lewayne Miller |
FAQ
What is the Michigan Sire Stakes?
The Michigan Sire Stakes is an annual series that showcases the talents of Standardbred horses and their drivers, promoting the breeding of these horses in Michigan.
What happened during the races in Hastings?
A historic two-horse dead heat occurred in the colt and gelding trotters division, with both New Plan Stan and Chip of the South finishing in a time of 2:08.2.
Who won the other significant races?
JM Rigs won its division for 3-year-olds trotters, while Capella Star and Westwinds Pegasus won their respective divisions for filly trotters. The results showed exceptional performances across various categories.
When does racing resume at Northville Downs?
Racing at Northville Downs is scheduled to resume on August 20, with the first race post time at 1 p.m. ET.
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Additional Resources
- Harness Link: Northville Downs Kicks Off 2025 Racing Season in Hastings
- Vancouver Sun: Is Fraser Downs Closure the Death Knell for Horse Racing in BC?
- Harness Racing Update: Michigan No Longer Offering Advance Deposit Wagering on Horse Racing
- BloodHorse: Pinsonneault Hired to Grow British Columbia Market
- TwinSpires: Horse Racing This Weekend – Key Races, Top Horses and Best Bets
- Wikipedia: Horse Racing
- Google Search: Horse Racing News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Horse Racing
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