Hugh Heff won more races than any other Standardbred in North America in 2024. While he might not get the same number of opportunities to race in 2025, his win percentage is certainly starting off right where his connections would want it to be.
Back in the $1,700 Winners Over Pace on Saturday, May 31 at Northside Downs, Hugh Heff faced five rivals in the weekly top class. Drawing post five, and not known for early gate speed, there was a good chance he'd have to come from off the pace for driver Randy Getto to repeat last week's success.
The bettors really didn't doubt a victory was in the cards, sending off the five-year-old at 1-9 odds.
Red Rum She Wrote (Martin Bates) tried to wire the field from the rail, leaving hardest and fronting the field while facing the first-over pressure of Kraken Seelster (Ardon Mofford) through a :29.3 opening quarter and :59 half. Revenant (Mark Pezzerello) sat locked in the pocket while Thunder Alley (Gerard Kennedy) was positioned second over with a lap to go.
Unhurried in fifth, Hugh Heff found himself four lengths off the leader at the midway point and shifted to the outer flow behind Kennedy's helmet. Once the field straightened down the backside, Getto flipped the switch and sent Hugh Heff three-deep. That position quickly became the four path as Kennedy asked Thunder Alley for a three-wide challenge around Kraken Seelster. Despite being in the pocket, Revenant was charted as fifth at the 1:29.2 third station.
Hugh Heff continued his torrid tempo on the outside, clearing both Kraken Seelster and Thunder Alley before diving to the inside around the final turn. With a :29.4 final quarter, Hugh Heff kept up that strong stride through the wire to win by seventh lengths in 1:59.3. Red Rum She Wrote was best of the rest, holding off Revenant for the deuce.
Dana Getto trains Hugh Heff (Betterthancheddar - Danika Patrix) for Nova Scotia-based owners Randy Getto, Susan MacSween and Wayne Hardy. On this occasion, his 34th career victory, he returned $2.30 to win.
For the full results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Cape Breton, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)