Northville, MI, August 23, 2025
News Summary
Ty Goodell celebrated his second career win in harness racing, skillfully driving RB to victory at Northville Downs. With impressive maneuvers, Goodell led RB to triumph over a small field of competitors. The event showcased Goodell’s strategic prowess as he made a crucial move to challenge the frontrunner and secure a decisive victory. This success highlights Goodell’s strong start in his driving career, and Northville Downs is set for more exciting races in the coming days, including the much-anticipated Michigan Sire Stakes Finals.
Northville, MI – Ty Goodell Achieves Second Career Win at Northville Downs
Ty Goodell celebrated his second career win in harness racing, driving RB (Megatron – Getoutthediamonds) to victory at Northville Downs. The event took place during the Thursday harness racing event at Barry Expo Center, where Goodell’s strategic maneuvers helped secure the win.
RB, owned and trained by Kim Pluta, started the race positioned in fourth among a small but competitive field of six condition pacers. The race kicked off with Four-star Flash, driven by David Lake, leading the pack after breaking from an outside post position. Four-star Flash maintained a strong lead through the initial phases, clocking fractions of 29 seconds for the quarter, 1:00 for the half, and 1:29.4 at three-quarters of the mile.
In a pivotal moment of the race, Ty Goodell made a tactical decision to move RB off the pylons while heading toward the halfway mark. This calculated move allowed him to position RB in a first-up position, challenging the frontrunner. As the race progressed, RB managed to clear Four-star Flash past the three-quarter mark, signaling a strong push toward victory.
As the competitors entered the stretch, RB surged ahead and successfully held off late challenges from Sweet Oliver and Catch Me Conrad, ultimately crossing the finish line with a final time of 2:00.2—winning by a length and a half.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Goodell, who has shown impressive performance since the beginning of the Northville Downs racing meet. With two wins and two second-place finishes from five drives, his record reflects a strong start to his pari-mutuel driving career.
Northville Downs at Barry Expo Center will continue its racing schedule on Tuesday, August 26, and Wednesday, August 27. Both days will commence at 1:00 PM, with Wednesday’s lineup featuring the Michigan Sire Stakes Finals, promising more thrilling contests for harness racing enthusiasts.
Background on Northville Downs
Located in Hastings, MI, Northville Downs serves as a prominent venue for harness racing. This racing circuit is known for offering exciting competitions featuring a variety of horse breeds and attracts both seasoned drivers and new talent like Ty Goodell. With each race, spectators witness the excitement of the sport as drivers and their horses compete for victory and acclaim. The upcoming Michigan Sire Stakes Finals is anticipated to draw significant attention, showcasing some of the best horses in the state.
Upcoming Races
Northville Downs is set to host more races in the coming days, allowing both fans and participants to engage with the thrills of harness racing. This ongoing excitement serves to enhance community interest in the sport and supports local equestrian activity.
FAQ
1. Who won the harness racing event at Northville Downs?
Ty Goodell won the event driving RB (Megatron – Getoutthediamonds).
2. Who owns and trains the winning horse?
RB is owned and trained by Kim Pluta.
3. What position did RB start in the race?
RB started from fourth place in a field of six condition pacers.
4. When will the next races take place at Northville Downs?
The next races are scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, and Wednesday, August 27, starting at 1:00 PM.
5. What is special about the Wednesday races?
Wednesday will feature the Michigan Sire Stakes Finals, showcasing top horses from the region.
Key Features of the Harness Racing Event
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Winner | Ty Goodell driving RB (Megatron – Getoutthediamonds) |
| Owner/Trainer | Kim Pluta |
| Race Position | Fourth place to start |
| Leading Horse | Four-star Flash led the race initially |
| Race Time | 2:00.2 |
| Next Races | August 26 and 27, featuring Michigan Sire Stakes Finals |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Historic Dead Heat in Michigan Sire Stakes at Hastings
Believeincaptain Shines at Michigan Sire Stakes Elimination Races
Two-Horse Dead Heat Highlights Michigan Sire Stakes
Northville Downs Launches Harness Racing Season
Michigan Court Upholds TwinSpires’ Wagering Operations
Northville Downs Kicks Off Harness Racing Season
Northville Downs Lawsuit Dismissed by Federal Judge
Northville Downs Faces Setback as Court Denies New Racing Track
Michigan’s Horse Racing Scene Hit by Northville Downs Closure
Additional Resources
- Harness Link: Ty Goodell Wins at Northville Downs
- Hometown Life: Plymouth Township Lawsuit Dismissed
- Patch: Plymouth Township Lawsuit Over Failed Horse Track
- Free Press: Northville Downs Closes
- Wikipedia: 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.
