There was a bit more for the connections of Hugh Heff to celebrate as North America's winningest Standardbred of 2024 extended his win streak to seven while staying perfect on the season with another victory in the $1,700 Winners Over Pace at Northside Downs on Saturday, June 28.
Water truck issues provided for a dustier start than usual at the Cape Breton oval on Saturday afternoon. When the dust settled after the start of the top class tussle, Kiss Me Im Irish and driver Mark Pezzarello had used their inside starting spot to gain the early advantage and front the field. Hugh Heff, the 1/4 favourite, landed in fourth for driver Randy Getto as Kiss Me Im Irish hit the first quarter station in :28.1.
Getto started the first-over attack with Hugh Heff around the three-eighths mark, applying pressure to the pacesetter through middle fractions of :57.2 and 1:27.1. Kiss Me Im Irish wasn't going away quietly, however, and those two veterans traded blows around the far turn and into the stretch. Noses separated those two at the wire, with Hugh Heff's nose the one on the wire first in a thrilling 1:57.1 performance. Revenant (Ryan Campbell) was best of the rest in third.
A large crowd greeted Hugh Heff in the winner's circle on Saturday, with driver and co-owner Randy Getto celebrating his birthday on Sunday to give the connections — trainer Dana Getto and co-owners Susan Macsween of River Ryan and Wayne Hardy of Sydney, N.S. — a bit more mirth for the momentous occasion.
A five-year-old son of Betterthancheddar - Danika Patrix, Hugh Heff now sports a career summary of 38-12-4 from 80 lifetime starts with more than $111,000 in purses. He returned $2.50 to win.
For the full results from Saturday's card of harness racing at Northside Downs, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)