Northville, MI, August 23, 2025
News Summary
Ty Goodell achieved his second career victory in pari-mutuel driving at Northville Downs, winning the featured pace with the horse RB. Goodell’s strategic maneuvers allowed RB to take the lead late in the race, finishing with a time of 2:00.2. The race saw good competition with six condition pacers. Next races at Northville Downs are scheduled for August 26 and 27, featuring the Michigan Sire Stakes finals.
Hastings, MI – Ty Goodell celebrated his second career pari-mutuel victory on August 21 at Northville Downs when he drove the horse RB to win the featured pace. Under Goodell’s skilled handling, RB secured the victory by taking the lead late in the race, finishing with a time of 2:00.2.
RB, owned and trained by Kim Pluta, started the race in fourth position within a competitive field of six condition pacers. The race began with Four-star Flash, driven by David Lake, quickly taking the lead from an outside post. Flash set fast fractions, completing the first quarter in 29 seconds, the half in 1:00, and the three-quarters in 1:29.4.
Goodell executed a strategic move to pull RB off the pylons as the horses approached the halfway point, positioning RB in a first-up position. His timely maneuver paid off as RB surged ahead past the three-quarter mark to capture the lead. The horse maintained its strength, ultimately winning by a margin of one and a half lengths.
This victory has brought Goodell’s win total to two, alongside two second-place finishes from five pari-mutuel drives since the beginning of the current racing meet at Northville Downs.
Racing activity at Northville Downs is set to continue on August 26 and 27, with races starting at 1 p.m. on both days. Notably, the August 27 card will showcase the Michigan Sire Stakes finals, a highlight event of the racing calendar.
Prior to Goodell’s success, the race program on August 19 featured a notable occurrence with a two-horse dead heat for the win between New Plan Stan and Chip of the South, both clocking a time of 2:08.2. Several other divisions were also contested that day, including JM Rigs winning a division for three-year-old colt trotters in 2:08.2, Capella Star taking the three-year-old filly trotters division in 2:05, and Westwinds Pegasus finishing at 2:02.4 among three-year-old fillies. Kody Massey highlighted the day with three wins, while Ty Goodell secured his first win driving a horse named Precious Cat during the same day of racing.
The racing program at Northville Downs features multiple events, including the prestigious Michigan Sire Stakes for two-year-old horses, which adds to the excitement for racing fans and participants alike.
Upcoming Races
- Date: August 26 & 27
- First Post Time: 1 p.m. each day
- Special Event: Michigan Sire Stakes finals on August 27
Recent Highlights
- Ty Goodell: Two career wins, two second-place finishes
- RB: Winner of featured pace in 2:00.2
- August 19: Notable dead heat for first place and several division wins
FAQ
What is the significance of Ty Goodell’s win with RB?
This victory marks Goodell’s second career win in pari-mutuel driving, showcasing his capability as a driver in the competitive harness racing scene.
What was the winning time for RB in the featured pace?
RB won the race with a final time of 2:00.2.
When is the next racing event at Northville Downs?
The next racing events are scheduled for August 26 and 27, with a first post time of 1 p.m.
What special events are occurring on August 27?
The August 27 card will include the Michigan Sire Stakes finals, an important event for local harness racing as it features the best two-year-olds competing.
Key Features & Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Northville Downs, Hastings, MI |
| Winning Horse | RB |
| Driver | Ty Goodell |
| Time | 2:00.2 |
| Upcoming Events | August 26 & 27 |
| Special Event | Michigan Sire Stakes finals |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Historic Dead Heat in Michigan Sire Stakes at Hastings
Believeincaptain Shines at Michigan Sire Stakes Elimination Races
Two-Horse Dead Heat Highlights Michigan Sire Stakes
Northville Downs Launches Harness Racing Season
Michigan Court Upholds TwinSpires’ Wagering Operations
Northville Downs Kicks Off Harness Racing Season
The Rare Earth Crisis Hitting the Auto Industry
Plymouth Township’s Horse Racing Controversy Takes a Twist
New Community Action Office Opens for Local Families
Northville Downs Lawsuit Against Plymouth Township Dismissed
Additional Resources
- Harness Link: Dead Heat Highlights Michigan Sire Stakes Action
- Wikipedia: Harness racing
- Harness Racing Update: Churchill Downs Wins Another Legal Battle in Michigan
- Google Search: Harness Racing Michigan
- Harness Link: Believeincaptain Bolts In & Remains Undefeated
- Google Scholar: Harness Racing
- Harness Racing Update: Michigan No Longer Offering Advance Deposit Wagering on Horse Racing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Harness Racing
- Harness Link: Massey Lake and Malady Highlight Northville’s Opening Week
- Google News: Harness Racing Michigan Sire Stakes
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
