Northville Downs can schedule as many as 52 live race dates in 2023, according to an order issue issued by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
Northville Downs is a harness racing track located in Northville, Mich. — north of Plymouth and west of Detroit. The track has been hosting horse racing since 1944. The MGCB, which governs gaming and horse racing in the state along with Michigan online sports betting, must approve a schedule of events for each venue. Northville can host races on Fridays and Saturdays in 2023, with no fewer than 8-16 live horse races per race day. In 2022, Northville was approved for 62 dates.
Permission was also granted for Northville Downs to simulcast races, and to offer pari-mutuel betting. With pari-mutuel betting, 50% of the losing wagers are factored into the payout for those who bet successfully on the first-place finisher, and 50% are assigned to the bettors who picked the horse who came in second.
Simulcast Betting on Horse Racing in Michigan
Michigan only has one active horse track, but even if you cannot get to the track, you can wager on the races. Michigan residents can legally wager on Northville Downs racing via TwinSpires and TVG, licensed wagering providers and partners of the track.
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State law also allows betting on races held at venues across the country. Michigan’s Horse Racing Law of 1995 allows for a third party to facilitate betting on live and simulcast races that take place elsewhere. These operators typically allow for pari-mutuel betting.
But for horse racing fans in Michigan, a trip to Northville is the only place to see live horse racing action.
“Live horse racing at Northville Downs has been a Michigan tradition since 1944,” Executive director of the MGCB Henry Williams said. “I wish Northville Downs and the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association much success for the remaining 2022 season and for the 2023 season.”
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How to Wager at Northville Downs
Many bettors are not familiar with the language used at the track for horse betting. Here’s a quick list of common bet types:
- Win: Bet on the horse that will win the race.
- Place: Your horse can finish first or second, and you receive a payout on the Place price.
- Show: Your horse can finish first, second, or third. You receive a payout on the Show price.
- Daily Double: Pick the winner of two consecutive races.
- Pick 3: Pick the winner of three consecutive races.
- Pick 4: Pick the winner of four consecutive races.
- Exacta: Pick the first two horses in exact order.
- Exacta Box: Pick two horses and they must finish in first and second in any order for you to win.
- Trifecta: Pick the first three horses in exact order.
- Trifecta Box: Pick three horses and they must finish in first, second, and third in any order for you to win.
- Superfecta: Pick the first four horses in the exact order of finish.
- Superfecta Box: Pick four horses, and if they finish in 1st-4th position in any order, your bet wins.
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