The state’s final horse track is about to enter a new season.
Harness racing in Michigan will commence on March 12 at Northville Downs, which remains the sole destination for live races in the state.
Due to insufficient participation, the races, which were initially planned to commence on March 11, have been rescheduled. In a press release on March 9, the Michigan Gaming Control Board declared that the postponement was requested by Northville Downs Management and the Michigan Harness Racing Association.
Starting from March 12, races will take place every Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. until June 25. The latter half of the season will commence on Friday, September 9, and extend until Saturday, December 17. Each race day will consist of a minimum of eight races and a maximum of 16.
Northville Downs open daily for simulcast wagers
The Northville Downs operates daily, welcoming simulcast betting from 11 a.m. to midnight. They provide Pari-mutuel betting, where the winners share the pot among themselves. However, please note that they remain closed on Easter Sunday (April 17), Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24), Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
In 1944, the establishment located at the intersection of Seven Mile and Sheldon roads became the pioneer in providing pari-mutuel harness racing.
After the sudden closure of the Hazel Park Raceway, Northville Downs took over as the sole live horse racing venue in the state in April 2018. Since its establishment in 1949, Northville Downs has been providing both live thoroughbred and live harness racing.
Following the arduous months of closures at the beginning of the pandemic, the Northville venue has finally lifted all COVID restrictions. The Carlo family, who initially established the business and continues to oversee its operations, had secured a new lease in 2020, merely a month prior to the implementation of the pandemic’s first set of COVID restrictions.
According to the release, Northville Downs is delighted to announce the signing of a long-term lease, ensuring their operation at the present location in Northville until 2025.
The track was purchased by Hunter Pasteur Homes in 2018, with intentions to develop the land for residential and commercial purposes. Although Northville’s planning commission disapproved of the proposed plans, they have currently allowed racing activities to persist.
In January, Mike Carlo, the co-owner and operations manager, assured Michigan Farm News that horse racing will persist beyond 2025, regardless of whether it remains at its current location.
Carlo informed Michigan Farm News that he, along with his brothers and their partners, is currently scouting for suitable land to construct a new racetrack in case they are no longer in Northville after 2025. However, this is subject to extensions from the developer.
Eat, drink and race horses
More menu options are introduced alongside the live racing experience. Trotside Restaurant will be available on Fridays and Saturdays during live racing events. By making reservations, guests can secure a table for the entire evening and enjoy a splendid view of the racetrack. Trotside’s extensive menu boasts a variety of appetizers, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and entrees, with prices ranging from $11.75 to $13.95.
On Saturday nights, individuals can enjoy a delectable buffet consisting of roast beef, baked ham, a salad bar, and dessert, all for a cost of $24.95 per person.
At the concession stand, you can find a range of food options such as pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and snacks. If you’re in the mood for a drink, bottle beer is available for $6 per bottle, while wine is priced at $4 per glass. For those interested in premium liquor, the prices vary: well liquor is priced at $6, while call liquor is priced at $7.
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