Hastings, Michigan, September 3, 2025
News Summary
Northville Downs in Hastings, Michigan, witnessed a remarkable day of harness racing, setting several new records. Peter The Con led the charge by winning the $11,000 Open Handicap Trot, establishing a new track record with a stellar time of 1:59. Other standout performances included Lady With No Fear and Rankin, both of whom also set impressive records. The drivers and trainers also showcased their skills, ensuring a day filled with excitement and achievement at the track.
Record-breaking Day at Northville Downs Harness Racing Track
Hastings, Michigan – On Tuesday, September 2, Northville Downs set multiple new records in harness racing, showcasing remarkable performances from both horses and drivers. The highlight of the day was the aged trotting gelding, Peter The Con, who won the $11,000 Open Handicap Trot in a time of 1:59, establishing a new track record.
Peter The Con, previously owned and trained by Sandra Hennessey, secured the victory by managing to hold off a late charge from Holton, the former track record holder, finishing just three-quarters of a length ahead. The race was driven by Ed Hennessey, who also found success in other races that day.
Additional Record Breakers
Alongside Peter The Con’s achievement, Lady With No Fear also made headlines by winning the $11,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace with a finish time of 1:57.3. This win came as Ed Hennessey drove the mare, who is co-owned by Sandra Hennessey and Paula Sugars. Lady With No Fear triumphed by a length and three-quarters.
In another impressive feat, Rankin, a four-year-old trotting gelding trained by Judy Roegner, set a new benchmark for his class by winning race three in 2:00. The day also featured Pair Of Hardts, a four-year-old pacing mare who set a record of her own by finishing in 1:57 during race eight. Finally, Left Hand Lou, owned by Rose Davis, lowered his previous three-year-old pacing colt record from 2:03 to 1:59.1 in race twelve, a performance driven and trained by Tim Roach.
Driver and Trainer Highlights
Several drivers shone throughout the day, with Ed Hennessey, Tim Roach, Charles Taylor, Kody Massey, and Art McIlmurray achieving multiple driving wins. Not to be outdone, trainers Judy Roegner, James Eaton, Sandra Hennessey, and Tim Roach each had two victories to their names.
Looking Ahead
Racing at Northville Downs is set to continue, with the next day of racing scheduled for Wednesday, September 3, starting at 1 PM ET.
FAQ
What is Northville Downs?
Northville Downs is a harness racing track located at Barry Expo Center in Hastings, Michigan, known for its competitive races and records.
Who won the $11,000 Open Handicap Trot?
Peter The Con won the Open Handicap Trot, setting a new record for an aged trotting gelding with a finish time of 1:59.
What records were set on September 2?
New track records were set by Peter The Con, Rankin, Pair Of Hardts, and Left Hand Lou on September 2.
When does racing resume at Northville Downs?
Racing at Northville Downs will resume on Wednesday, September 3, at 1 PM ET.
Track Records Summary
| Horse Name | Record Type | New Record Time | Race/Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter The Con | Aged Trotting Gelding | 1:59 | $11,000 Open Handicap Trot |
| Lady With No Fear | Mares Open Handicap Pace | 1:57.3 | $11,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace |
| Rankin | Four-year-old Trotting Gelding | 2:00 | Race Three |
| Pair Of Hardts | Four-year-old Pacing Mare | 1:57 | Race Eight |
| Left Hand Lou | Three-year-old Pacing Colt | 1:59.1 | Race Twelve |
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Additional Resources
- Harness Link: Northville Downs Kicks Off 2025 Racing Season
- Google Search: Harness Racing
- Harness Racing Update: Churchill Downs Wins Legal Battle
- Google Scholar: Horse Racing
- Harness Link: Dead Heat Highlights Michigan Sire Stakes
- Encyclopedia Britannica: American Horse Racing
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.
