News Summary
Northville Downs commenced its harness racing season with thrilling performances at Hastings Fairgrounds. The opening day featured standout victories, including TL All Business, who won the inaugural race. The following days showcased the Open Trot and Open Pace events, highlighting the leading drivers and trainers. The anticipation for upcoming races builds as Kody Massey leads the events with multiple wins, promising an exciting season ahead for harness racing enthusiasts.
Northville – Northville Downs welcomed its harness racing season at the Hastings Fairgrounds on August 12, 2025, delivering an exciting start with impressive races and notable performances. The inaugural race saw TL All Business triumph, owned and bred by Thomas and Kim Laier, and trained by Thomas Laier himself. The horse, driven by Kody Massey, won with a commanding two-length margin, finishing the race in a time of 2:07.4.
Opening day featured co-highlighted races, the Open Trot and the Mares Open Pace. Both events were won by trainer Gerald Malady and driver David Lake. In the Open Trot, Crypto Currency, a five-year-old gelded son of International Moni and Clover Market, secured victory, finishing three and three-quarters lengths ahead of the competition with a time of 2:01.2. Meanwhile, the Mares Open Pace was claimed by Go Go Lyla Jane (Rockin Amadeus-Rei To Go), owned by John Turgliatto, who crossed the finish line a length and a half ahead, posting a time of 1:59.1.
The following day, on August 13, the spotlight shifted to the featured Open Pace for the boys, where Born Wild (Well Said – Artistic Heart) achieved victory. This horse, also owned by John Turgliatto and trained by Gerald Malady, made a strong showing with driver Art McIlmurray, finishing in 1:59.2.
Kody Massey emerged as the leading driver over the two-day event, amassing a total of seven wins, including five victories on August 13 alone. Following closely behind, drivers David Lake and Art McIlmurray each tallied two wins throughout the festivities. On the training front, Gerald Malady dominated with four training victories, while trainers Paul Cloer Jr. and Jason Hanna secured two wins each.
Racing at Northville Downs is set to continue on August 19, 2025, with the first post time scheduled for 1 p.m. This anticipation builds on the excitement generated during the opening days of harness racing, highlighting the talent and competitive spirit among the participants.
Event Summary
- Date: August 12, 2025
- Location: Northville Downs, Hastings Fairgrounds
- Key Winners:
- TL All Business – First Race (Driver: Kody Massey, Time: 2:07.4)
- Crypto Currency – Open Trot (Trainer: Gerald Malady, Time: 2:01.2)
- Go Go Lyla Jane – Mares Open Pace (Owner: John Turgliatto, Time: 1:59.1)
- Born Wild – Open Pace for Boys (Trainer: Gerald Malady, Time: 1:59.2)
- Standings:
- Leading Driver: Kody Massey (7 Wins)
- Other Notable Drivers: David Lake and Art McIlmurray (2 Wins each)
- Leading Trainer: Gerald Malady (4 Wins)
Background
The inaugural harness racing meet at Northville Downs marks the beginning of an anticipated racing season. With a variety of races planned and a roster of talented horses, drivers, and trainers, the event aims to attract both seasoned fans and newcomers alike. Historical elements of the venue contribute to the local culture and enthusiasm, making harness racing a celebrated part of the community’s fabric.
As the season unfolds, Northville Downs is poised to become a key location for harness racing, reflecting a commitment to excellence in the sport. With competitive events and thrilling performances, fans are gearing up for an exciting season ahead.
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Additional Resources
- Harness Link: Northville Downs Kicks Off 2025 Racing Season
- Wikipedia: Harness Racing
- Harness Racing Update: Michigan No Longer Offering Advance Deposit Wagering
- Google Search: Horse Racing
- BloodHorse: Pinsonneault Hired to Grow British Columbia Market
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Horse Racing
- Paulick Report: Sale of Hastings Racecourse Approved
- Google News: Hastings Racecourse
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.
