Approved! Horse Racing is Coming Back to Michigan

Saturday, February 3, 2024 was a sad day for horse racing fans in Michigan. Harness racing in Michigan shut down.

Northville Downs, the last horse racing track in Michigan, ceased operations on 301 S. Center St. in Northville after 80 years.

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Developers want to redevelop the 128 acres in downtown Northville, a suburb of Detroit, as the entire area, next to Novi, has become THE hot spot to be in Southeast Michigan.

That's all well and good, but it isn't any consolation to racing and betting fans. They want the thrill of the race, in person.

Northville Downs wasn't the only horse racing track in Michigan. Remember, years ago there also was Great Lakes Downs in Muskegon. That closed 18 years ago. It had run races for eight years, but after lots of financial losses, closed their gates. They reopened later but could not sustain business and shut down completely in 2007.

Well, horse racing, harness, is coming back to Michigan.

Racing is moving into Hastings! Yes, Hasting, Michigan, to the Barry County Expo Center, the Barry County Fairgrounds and grandstands.

The US Trotting Association announced Northville Downs LLC filed an application for a 2025 race meeting license and a 2025 simulcast permit with the Michigan Gaming Control Board for dates at the Hastings fairgrounds.

"The MGCB approved a total of 30 Standardbred race dates, from Tuesday (April 29) through Wednesday (June 25) and Tuesday (Aug. 12) through Wednesday (Sept. 17), with live racing to be held two days per week, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with not less than eight live horse races programmed per race date and with no more than 16 live horse races per race day. Post time for the first race is 1 p.m."

Will this be a good move and will they be able to sustain it? Racing fans can only hope!