Try as they might, the challengers in the top class at Northside Downs have yet to definitively solve the riddle of how to defeat Hugh Heff.
A new contender in the $1,700 Winners Over Pace emerged on Saturday, June 14 — Tribal Dancer, making her local debut after campaigning in Ontario over her first three seasons. Drawing the rail, Tribal Dancer definitely had the early advantage over post six starter and defending heavyweight champion Hugh Heff.
The betting public also gave the edge to Tribal Dancer, sending the mare off as the slight even money choice over 6-5 choice Hugh Heff. Randy Getto dropped Hugh Heff back to fifth in the field of six while Tribal Dancer (Adam Lynk) and Thunder Alley (Gerard Kennedy) sprinted off the gate, with Thunder Alley clearing to the top after a :27.4 opening panel. Charted at 14-1/2 lengths off the leader at the first station, Hugh Heff started his overland journey prior to the :57.2 half and stalked the pacesetter relentlessly through a 1:27.3 third quarter.
Leg-weary around the final turn, Thunder Alley folded to the pressure of Hugh Heff around the final bend, providing a seam for Tribal Dancer to slip into the outer flow. Getto encouraged Hugh Heff for some late gumption, and the veteran responded to hold off Tribal Dancer in 1:57.4 by just less than two lengths. Kiss Me Im Irish (Mark Pezzarello) completed the triactor ticket.
Dana Getto trains Hugh Heff, a four-time winner in four seasonal outings with a five-race win streak that dtaes back to last fall. The four-year-old son of Betterthancheddar - Danika Patrix is owned by his driver, Susan Macsween of River Ryan and Wayne Hardy of Sydney, N.S. Hugh Heff now sports 36 lifetime victories from his 78 starts with nearly $110,000 in earnings. He returned $4.60 to win.
Ardon Mofford had the hot hands among the trainers on Saturday with an afternoon three-bagger comprised of wins at the start and end of the 10-race card. Mofford swept the early daily double courtesy Maverick Treasure (2:05.2; $9.30) and Candid Cameron (2:01.4; $4.30) and then he returned to the winner's circle in the finale with Sonny Jax (2:03.1; $5.10).
With those three wins, Mofford now sports nine tallies this year and 122 lifetime along with $138,066 in purse earnings.
For the full results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Cape Breton, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)