Northside Downs hosted eliminations for the 2025 Harvest Series during its card of harness racing on Saturday, Oct. 4.

The series, open to horses that have not raced in the Winners Over top class in 2025, featured two $1,750 elims with horses vying for a spot in the $4,000 final on Monday, Oct. 13.

High Praise ($2.80) forged first-up through the middle of the first elim for driver Harold Leblanc Jr. , cleared before the 1:30 three-quarter mark and then stepped away for the 2:00.4 score. Keeperoftherealm (Ryan Campbell) closed for second ahead of D A Playersdelight (Randy Getto).

Joel Le Blanc of Victoria Mines, N.S. co-owns and trains High Praise, a five-year-old gelded son of Fear The Dragon - Acclamation, with Harold Le Blanc of Sydney. The black pacer is now a 10-time winner in his 81-start career with nearly $55,000 in earnings.

Ranked Contender ($7.10) and driver Ardon Mofford took no prisoners and repelled multiple rivals en route to a wire-to-wire 2:00.2 win in the second Harvest elim. Last week's Celtic Financial Series winner, Big Boy Hill (Kevin Bailey) was 1-3/4 lengths back in second with Check Your Source (Joseph Poirier) at the bottom of the triactor ticket.

Peter MacKinnon of Sydney, N.S. owns and trains Ranked Contender, a five-year-old gelded son of Tobago Cays - Euphoria Seelster with eight wins and $12,697 earned in his 66 career appearances.

Hugh Heff ($2.20; pictured above) toyed with his top-class rivals in the $1,700 Winners Over Pace, leading at every call for the 1:57.1 victory. Randy Getto guided the son of Betterthancheddar - Danika Patrix to his 14th win of the year in 18 starts, besting stablemate Dontblvmejustwatch (Ryan Campbell) by nearly three lengths. Rock N Twist (John Hawco) shimmied in for the show spot.

Hugh Heff is trained by Dana Getto for owners Randy Getto of New Waterford, Susan MacSween of River Ryan and Wayne Hardy of Sydney, N.S. Now a 46-time winner in his career with 38 wins in his last two seasons, Hugh Huff boasts a bankroll of $119,340.

To view the full results for the Saturday card of harness racing in Cape Breton, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.

(Standardbred Canada)