Track records fell and win streaks were extended in the Michigan Sire Stakes Finals, carrying total purses of $974,444, on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at Northville Downs at Barry Expo Center in Hastings, Mich.

The records for each two-year-old division were rewritten, starting with Westwinds Yahtzee ($2.10) in the $121,458 rookie filly trot final. She kicked off a stakes triple for trainer-driver LeWayne Miller, who put her on top through :28.1, :57.2, and 1:26.4 fractions and watched as she drew seven lengths clear to score in 2:01.4. Weezabouttofindout (David Lake) was second, followed by Smooth Is Fast (Tim Roach). The mile time lowered the standard by more than two seconds. Westwinds Yahtzee, a daughter of Celebrity Pegasus-Keep the Cash, has now won five straight stakes events for owner/breeder Samuel Eicher and has earned $118,013.

Miller's second win was even more dominant as Lady Victorious ($2.20) lived up to her name for the fifth straight race in the $123,458 two-year-old filly pace final. The daughter of Captain Victorious-Arts Meme was in the pocket to the quarter in :28.1 before taking control, pacing a :57.2 half and 1:26.4 three-quarters, and leaving the rest behind by 19-3/4 lengths in a 1:56.4 track-record performance. Cocktail Of Dreams (Charles Taylor) got up for second over Sallysmokingun (Justin Irvine). The winner, owned by Rockylanes, has earned $108,922 and won six of seven lifetime starts.

Westwinds Pegasus ($2.20) also won in a blowout to complete the Miller triple as she captured the $113,556 sophomore trotting filly event. She went wire-to-wire, setting fractions of :29.3, :59, and 1:29 and separating from the field by 9-1/2 lengths in a 1:59.2 victory, her fifth of the year in eight attempts. Fireball Kate (Taylor) was second-best, followed by Capella Star (Lavern Miller). The winner, a full-sister to Westwinds Yahtzee, is owned by LeWayne Miller and Platinum Stables. She is now eight-for-11 lifetime and has earned $123,178.

Powerful Ending ($2.60) was mighty throughout the $120,458 final for rookie male trotters. He went to the front from fourth for John Moody after the quarter of :30.1, then built his margin through 1:00.4 and 1:31.3 middle fractions, finishing 15 lengths in front in 2:03, reducing the record by two-and-one-fifth seconds. As Big As You (Don Harmon) finished second over Its Margaritatime (Marshall Makin). Powerful Ending has now won four of nine lifetime outings and has earned $83,089 for trainer Kevin St. Charles and owner/breeder ECS Racing LLC.

Believeincaptain ($2.20) extended his perfect career record to eight victories in the $126,458 two-year-old colt pace while slicing four fifths off the previous track record. He cut the fractions of :28.2, :57.2, and 1:26.2 and came home a two-length winner in 1:58 for driver Kody Massey. Allamerican Beach (Brad Kramer) took the place spot, followed by Letsgo Gibbs (Kim Pluta). Allen Sisco trains the winning son of Captain Victorious-Believeincarrie, who has earned $132,819 for owners Oldford Racing LLC and Allen Sisco Stable LLC.

After a dead heat in their elimination last week, Chip Of The South ($2.70) and New Plan Stan renewed hostilities with a back-half battle in the $114,556 contest for sophomore trotting males. Rick Dobson pulled Chip Of The South out of third after the :30.2 quarter, and the Bourbon Chip-Belle of the South gelding traded blows with leader New Plan Stan (Greg Bateson) through middle-half panels of 1:02 and 1:31.4. Chip Of The South eclipsed his opponent just past three-quarters and inched away to score by a length in 2:01.2. Amtrac (Taylor) was well back in third. Monica Krist trains Chip Of The South for Dobson, Teresa Marotta, and Melissa Kesler. The gelding is five-for-10 on the campaign and has won nine races and $148,663 in purses in 22 career appearances.

The richest division was the three-year-old filly pace event with a purse of $139,444. Taylor Dawn made it six-for-six on the year as she went coast-to-coast for driver Brad Kramer, putting up :29, 1:00, and 1:30.1 fractions en route to a 2:01.2 score by 1-1/2 lengths. Cant Xplain It (Art McIlmurray) finished second but was placed third behind Gray Negligee (Irvine). Taylor Dawn, a daughter of Bondi Hanover-Ill Deal A Queen, is trained by Paul Cloer Jr. for owner Gregory Gardner. She is now nine-for-14 lifetime and has raked in $136,970 in earnings.

Finally, Hardt Of A King extended his winning streak to six in the the $114,556 three-year-old colt pace final. He recovered from a break before the start, reached the top in a :28.1 first stanza, and got a breather to the half in 1:00.2. He separated from the field as Kramer asked for more to three-quarters in 1:28.4, and he cruised home to win by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:59.4 over Uallgonnamakemeloo (LeWayne Miller). Silver N Gold (Ty Goodell) was third. Hardt Of A King now seven-for-eight this year for owner/trainer Kelly Goodwin. The gelded son of Manhardt-Earhart Hanover has won 11 times and earned $215,456 in 20 carer outings.

LeWayne Miller led all drivers and trainers with his triple. Massey, Moody, and Kramer each had two driving wins. Sisco was the only trainer to double. 

Racing at Northville Downs at Barry Expo Center returns next Tuesday, Sept. 2 and Wednesday, Sept. 3 with a first post time of 1 p.m. each day.  

(With files from Northville Downs; photo of Taylor Dawn winning on Aug. 27)