Hastings, Michigan, August 29, 2025
News Summary
The Michigan Sire Stakes Finals took place in Hastings, Michigan, featuring 11 races including eight harness racing finals. Several horses broke track records, showcasing thrilling performances. Notable victories included Westwinds Yahtzee in the two-year-old filly trot and Lady Victorious in the two-year-old filly pace, both achieving impressive margins. The total purse for the event reached $731,240, highlighting the competitiveness of the races. The next races are scheduled for September 2 and 3 at Northville Downs.
Hastings, Michigan – The Michigan Sire Stakes Finals took place on Wednesday afternoon, August 27, at Northville Downs at Barry Expo Center, showcasing a total of 11 races with eight dedicated to the exciting Sire Stakes harness racing finals. The day featured thrilling performances, with several track records shattered and impressive victories across various age groups and categories.
The combined purses for all the races at the event amounted to $731,240, bolstered by $30,000 from the undercard races. Among the highlights was the $87,450 two-year-old filly trot final, which was claimed decisively by Westwinds Yahtzee, owned by Samuel Eicher. She trotted the mile in an impressive 2:01.4, beating the previous track record by a significant margin of 2.5 seconds and finishing the race 7 lengths ahead of her competitors. With this victory, Westwinds Yahtzee improved her lifetime record to 5 for 6.
The $86,730 two-year-old colt trot was dominated by Powerful Ending, owned by ECS Racing, LLC. He claimed victory with a remarkable performance, trotting the mile in 2:03, which lowered his prior track record by 3 seconds and saw him finish a commanding 15 lengths ahead of the field. Powerful Ending now holds a lifetime record of 4 for 9.
Another standout performance came from the two-year-old filly pace race, where Lady Victorious, owned by Rockylanes, claimed victory with a staggering margin of 19.75 lengths. She finished the race in a record time of 1:56.4, shattering the previous record of 2:03. Trained and driven by Lewayne Miller, Lady Victorious has achieved a remarkable lifetime record of 6 for 7.
The $91,050 two-year-old colt pace was won by Believeincaptain, who continued his unbeaten streak, finishing at 8 for 8. He won the race by 2 lengths, clocking in at 1:58 and lowering his previous track record by 1 second. Believeincaptain is owned by Oldford Racing, LLC and Allen Sisco Stable, LLC, trained by Allen Sisco and driven by Kody Massey.
The $81,760 three-year-old filly trot final was captured by Westwinds Pegasus, a full sister to Westwinds Yahtzee. She won the race in a time of 1:59.2, besting her previous record of 2:02.4 by 3.2 seconds and boasting a lifetime record of 8 for 11, also trained and driven by Lewayne Miller.
In a fiercely competitive three-year-old colt trot, Chip of the South narrowly edged out New Plan Stan to win by a length in a time of 2:01.2, establishing a new track record previously held by both horses. The richest race of the day, the three-year-old filly pace, featured a purse of $100,400 and was ultimately won by Taylor Dawn. She set a new track record time of 2:01.2, marking her sixth victory in as many starts this season.
Furthermore, the three-year-old colt pace was claimed by Hardt of a King, who also lowered his previous track record by 1 second, finishing in 1:59.4. On this notable day, Lewayne Miller led all drivers with 3 wins, while Kody Massey, John Moody, and Brad Kramer each recorded 2 wins. In terms of training, Miller again took the lead with 3 wins, followed by Allen Sisco with 2 wins.
Northville Downs at Barry Expo Center will continue to host races on September 2 and 3, starting at 1:00 PM each day. The Michigan Sire Stakes Finals not only provided exhilarating entertainment but also showcased new records and remarkable performances within the harness racing community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the Michigan Sire Stakes Finals?
The Michigan Sire Stakes Finals are harness racing finals held annually featuring various age groups and divisions, showcasing the best talent in the state.
Where did the Michigan Sire Stakes Finals take place?
The finals were held at Northville Downs at Barry Expo Center in Hastings, Michigan.
What was the total purse for all races?
The total purse for all races was $731,240, which included contributions from undercard races.
Which horse set the new track record for the two-year-old filly trot?
Westwinds Yahtzee set a new track record for the two-year-old filly trot, completing the mile in 2:01.4, breaking the previous record by 2.5 seconds.
When will the next races be held at Northville Downs?
The next races at Northville Downs will occur on September 2 and 3, starting at 1:00 PM each day.
Key Features of the Event
| Category | Purse | Winning Horse | Owner | Time | Track Record Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-Year-Old Filly Trot | $87,450 | Westwinds Yahtzee | Samuel Eicher | 2:01.4 | -2.5 seconds |
| Two-Year-Old Colt Trot | $86,730 | Powerful Ending | ECS Racing, LLC | 2:03 | -3 seconds |
| Two-Year-Old Filly Pace | $88,890 | Lady Victorious | Rockylanes | 1:56.4 | -6.6 seconds |
| Two-Year-Old Colt Pace | $91,050 | Believeincaptain | Oldford Racing, LLC and Allen Sisco Stable, LLC | 1:58 | -1 second |
| Three-Year-Old Filly Trot | $81,760 | Westwinds Pegasus | Not Available | 1:59.2 | -3.2 seconds |
| Three-Year-Old Colt Trot | $82,480 | Chip of the South | Not Available | 2:01.2 | -Previous record holder |
| Three-Year-Old Filly Pace | $100,400 | Taylor Dawn | Not Available | 2:01.2 | New Record |
| Three-Year-Old Colt Pace | Not Available | Hardt of a King | Not Available | 1:59.4 | -1 second |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Ty Goodell Secures Second Career Victory Driving RB at Northville Downs
Additional Resources
- Harness Link: Taylor Dawn Takes $100k Pace, Sets New Mark
- Wikipedia: Michigan Sire Stakes
- U.S. Trotting News: Dead Heat Highlights Michigan Sire Stakes Tuesday
- Google Search: Harness Racing News
- U.S. Trotting News: Believeincaptain Remains Undefeated
- Google Scholar: Harness Racing
- Harness Racing Update: On to Norway Takes Big Step Up
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Harness Racing
- U.S. Trotting News: Ty Goodell and RB Take Northville Downs Thursday Feature
- Google News: Michigan Sire Stakes
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