If Mappos Lion and his connections were a hockey team, they would be considered a wagon.
Virtually unstoppable.
Saddled with the outermost post in the $1,600 Winners Over top class at Northside Downs on a cool and wet Saturday (May 30) card, Mappos Lion once again delivered victory to stay perfect in 2026.
Leaving from post six this week, driver Ryan Campbell opted to ease off the gate and allow Thunder Alley (Kevin Bailey) and Hugh Heff (Randy Getto) to tussle for the early lead. Hugh Heff worked hard to clear rail starter Thunder Alley, finally landing on the lead after a :29.2 opening quarter. Campbell right-lined 1-9 choice Mappos Lion from sixth just as Hugh Heff cleared and started his overland approach.
Mappos Lion continued to forge first up as Hugh Heff hammered out middle fractions of :59.3 and 1:29.1 over the good going. Around the far turn, Mappos Lion poked a nose in front and employed a :29.2 finale to stride clear of Hugh Heff in the lane. The timer was tripped in 1:58.3, with Thunder Alley getting up to best Hugh Heff for second some 2-1/2 lengths back of the race winner.
Hailee Currie of Rocky Point, P.E.I. and Carol Campbell of Baddeck, N.S. hold the ownership papers on Lee Collins trainee Mappos Lion (Sunshine Beach - Pacific Playmate). The nine-year-old pacer is now a 33-time winner with close to $320,000 in earnings. He returned $2.10 to win.
To view the results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Cape Breton, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)