As part of a training triple for Heather Hawkins on the afternoon, Thunder Alley and Alritealritealrite prevailed in their respective $1,600 opening leg divisions of the 2026 Governor's Cup Series on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Northside Downs.

Thunder Alley ($5.40) and driver Mark Pezzarello delivered a 1:59.1 victory for Hawkins in the first division, going wire-to-wire after fractions of :28.4, 1:00 and 1:29.4 to best favoured Sea Laird (Zach Mullins) by nearly two lengths. Pay Line (Roddy Gillis) completed the top trio.

Now a 46-time winner in his career with $109.569 in earnings, 10-year-old Thunder Alley (Mystery Chase-The Three Of Us) is owned by Terri Morrison of Marion Bridge, N.S., Irwin Claener of New Waterford, N.S., Kirk MacRae of Ben Eoin, N.S., and Angus MacEachern of Howie Center, N.S.

Alritealritealrite ($3.20; pictured above) delivered a similar on-the-engine performance to convert as the 3-5 choice in the second division. Driver Kevin Bailey placed the public choice on the front and made four left turns through splits of :30.1, 1:01 and 1:30.2 to score in 1:59. Ranked Contender (Ardon Mofford) closed well to finish three parts of a length back in second with Hugh Heff (Randy Getto) just a length back in third.

Also owned by Morrison, Claener, MacRae and MacEachern, five-year-old Alritealritealrite (Lazarus N-Hot Spot Hanover) eclipsed the $200,000 mark in career earnings with the win — his 11th this year and 14th lifetime. 

Hawkins, the top trainer at Northside this season by one win coming into Saturday, padded her local lead over Warren MacKinnon with three wins on the day to MacKinnon's single tally. Hawkins, whose third winner on the day was Chocolate Swirl (2:00.4; $7.50) in the sixth, now sports 25 training victories at Northside on the season with MacKinnon at 22.

Live harness racing continues at Northside next Sunday, Nov. 1, featuring the second leg of the Governor's Cup Series. The $5,000 final and $3,000 consolation are set for Saturday, Nov. 7.

For the full results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Cape Breton, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.

(Standardbred Canada)