Northville, MI, August 20, 2025
News Summary
The Michigan Sire Stakes at Northville Downs featured an exhilarating day of harness racing, including a rare two-horse dead heat between New Plan Stan and Chip of the South. Both horses clocked a winning time of 2:08.2, showcasing the depth of talent among the competitors. Other standout performances included JM Rigs, Capella Star, and Hardt of a King. The event celebrated local talent and set the stage for more racing action soon.
Northville, MI – The Michigan Sire Stakes at Northville Downs on August 19 showcased a thrilling harness racing event, featuring several three-year-old divisions. Racing fans were treated to the excitement of a rare two-horse dead heat, multiple winners, and remarkable performances from the competitors.
A highly competitive division for colt and gelding trotters resulted in the day’s standout feature – a dead heat for the win between New Plan Stan and Chip of the South. Both horses, trained by their respective owners, crossed the finish line simultaneously at an impressive time of 2:08.2, finishing a substantial 12 lengths ahead of the third-place horse, Bandsrompawaykid.
New Plan Stan is trained and driven by Greg Bateson, who co-owns the horse with Ernest Ayers. Chip of the South, on the other hand, was driven by Rick Dobson and co-owned with Teresa Marotta and Melissa Kesler, under the training of Monica Krist.
In race five, the spotlight was again on a thrilling performance as JM Rigs overcame an early break before the start to triumph with a matching time of 2:08.2. Owned in partnership by Justin Irvine and Jessica Otten, JM Rigs is both trained and driven by Justin Irvine.
Other winners from the event included the talented Capella Star, which captured the division for three-year-old filly trotters. Capella Star clocked in at 2:05 and is owned, trained, and driven by Lavern Miller. The three-year-old colt and gelding pacers saw Hardt of a King take the lead, finishing with a winning time of 2:00.4. Hardt of a King is owned and trained by Kelly Goodwin and was driven by Brad Kramer.
The day’s racing also featured Westwinds Pegasus, another notable winner trained and driven by Lewayne Miller, who finished with a time of 2:02.4. In addition, Uallgonnamakemeloo, owned by Rockstar Meadows and again trained and driven by Lewayne Miller, completed the race in 2:03.
Lewayne Miller achieved a remarkable feat by securing a driving/training double during the event. Additionally, driver Ty Goodell celebrated his first pari-mutuel win in race two aboard Precious Cat, owned by Carolyn and Frederick Shiery and trained by Sam Eicher.
Looking ahead, racing is set to resume at Northville Downs on Wednesday, August 20, in Hastings, MI. The first race post time is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET, featuring divisions of two-year-old Michigan Sire Stakes.
Key Winners from the Event
- Colt and Gelding Trotters: New Plan Stan and Chip of the South (2:08.2)
- Filly Trotters: Capella Star (2:05)
- Colt and Gelding Pacers: Hardt of a King (2:00.4)
- Colt and Gelding Pacers: Uallgonnamakemeloo (2:03)
- Race Five: JM Rigs (2:08.2)
- Race Two: Precious Cat (First win for Ty Goodell)
Background of the Michigan Sire Stakes
The Michigan Sire Stakes is an annual harness racing event featuring various divisions where horses compete based on age and gender. It provides an opportunity for local trainers and drivers to showcase their talents and the abilities of their equine athletes. The Sire Stakes emphasizes the development of harness racing in the state and encourages participation from local horse owners and enthusiasts.
FAQ
What is the Michigan Sire Stakes?
The Michigan Sire Stakes is an annual harness racing event where horses compete in various divisions based on age and gender.
Where was the recent event held?
The recent event took place at Northville Downs in Northville, Michigan.
What was notable about the race for colt and gelding trotters?
The race featured a rare two-horse dead heat, with both New Plan Stan and Chip of the South finishing at the same time.
When is the next racing event scheduled?
The next racing event is scheduled for August 20 at Northville Downs, with a post time of 1:00 PM ET.
Summary of Key Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event Date | August 19 |
| Location | Northville Downs, Northville, MI |
| Key Race | Colt and gelding trotters (Dead heat) |
| Notable Times | 2:08.2, 2:05, 2:00.4, 2:03 |
| Next Event | August 20 at 1:00 PM ET |
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Additional Resources
- Harness Link: Dead Heat Highlights Michigan Sire Stakes Action
- Hotsr: Filly Haulin Ice Seeks to Top Nodouble In
- USTrotting News: On to Norway Set for Grand Circuit at Indiana State Fair
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Harness Racing
- Google Search: Harness 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.
