Hastings, Michigan, September 25, 2025
News Summary
In Hastings, Michigan, Celebrity Pegasus, a trotter owned by Samuel Eicher, set a new track record for older trotters at Northville Downs. On the same day, Lavern Miller, a seasoned horseman, achieved a remarkable first career driving double. This event underscored the notable performances in harness racing, showcasing the skills of both horse and driver.
Hastings, Michigan – Celebrity Pegasus Sets New Track Record as Lavern Miller Achieves First Driving Double at Northville Downs
On September 23, 2025, Celebrity Pegasus, a 13-year-old trotter, made headlines by setting a new track record for older trotters during races at Northville Downs in Hastings, Michigan. The event also marked the significant milestone of Lavern Miller, a 73-year-old horseman, who achieved his first career driving double on the same day.
Celebrity Pegasus is owned and trained by Samuel Eicher and sired by Andover Hall out of Celebrity Athena. In the second race of the day, Celebrity Pegasus, initially driven by Kody Massey, took an early position but faced stiff competition from the leader Kings Sweetheart, driven by David Lake. After a strong performance, Celebrity Pegasus took the lead by three lengths by the three-quarters mark and maintained that lead, finishing the race with a time of 2:00 and winning by one length over Emerald Chip, driven by Lauren Harmon.
This victory was significant for Celebrity Pegasus as it marked his 57th career victory and increased his earnings to $548,358.
On the same day, Lavern Miller participated in two races. Known for his long career in horse racing that began in 1977, Miller had historically averaged around 50 drives per year, yielding only a few wins. However, 2025 has proven to be his most successful year, with 52 drives and eight wins before this event. On September 23, he won both of his drives, starting with Bo Nanza Chip in race 4, finishing with a time of 1:59.4, and followed by a victory on Capella Star in race 7 with a time of 2:02. This success represented a major highlight for Miller as it accounted for his first-ever driving double.
Following the races, Miller’s statistics stand at 54 drives, 10 wins, nine second-place finishes, and six third-place finishes, accumulating a UDRS of .315.
Other Race Highlights
In other noteworthy races, the co-featured $13,200 Mares Open was won by Pair of Hardts, driven by Charles Taylor, completing the race in a time of 1:57.2. The co-featured $13,200 Open Trot was clinched by Rose Run Vincent, who was driven by David Lake and crossed the finish line at 1:59.3, securing a half-length victory over Peter The Con, driven by Ed Hennessey.
David Lake emerged as the leading driver of the day with four wins, showcasing a strong performance overall during the event.
The next racing event at Northville Downs is scheduled for September 24, 2025, with the first race post time set for 1 p.m. ET.
Key Features of the Races
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | September 23, 2025 |
| Location | Northville Downs, Hastings, Michigan |
| Track Record | 2:00 by Celebrity Pegasus |
| Career Wins (Celebrity Pegasus) | 57 |
| Total Earnings (Celebrity Pegasus) | $548,358 |
| Lavern Miller’s Yearly Stats | 54 drives, 10 wins |
FAQ
- What horse set a new track record at Northville Downs?
- Celebrity Pegasus set a new track record for older trotters with a time of 2:00.
- Who achieved their first driving double on September 23, 2025?
- Lavern Miller achieved his first driving double on this day.
- How many career victories does Celebrity Pegasus have?
- Celebrity Pegasus has a total of 57 career victories.
- What are Lavern Miller’s statistics for the year 2025 as of September 23?
- Miller’s statistics include 54 drives, 10 wins, nine second-place finishes, and six third-place finishes.
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Additional Resources
- Harness Link: Northville Downs Kicks Off 2025 Racing Season in Hastings
- Wikipedia: Horse Racing
- Harness Racing Update: Has Michigan Harness Racing Been Re-Incarnated?
- Google Search: Michigan Horse Racing
- WGRD: Approved Horse Racing Michigan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Horse Racing
- Harness Racing Update: Churchill Downs Wins Another Legal Battle in Michigan
- Google News: Horse Racing News
- USTrotting News: Dead Heat Highlights Michigan Sire Stakes Tuesday
- Google Scholar: Harness Racing Michigan
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.
