Mappos Lion has yet to taste defeat in 2026. The nine-year-old extended his streak to eight straight Saturday, July 4 with another impressive win, this time taking the $1,600 Winners Over Pace at Northside Downs in 1:55.3.
Assigned post position six in the field of seven, Mappos Lion and driver Ryan Campbell found a spot along the pylons in fifth as Alritealritealrite and Kevin Bailey led the field through a :28.4 opening panel. Kountry Diamond and Mike Pezzarello pressured the leader from the outset, racing first-over through the turn and on the backstretch. As the field paced through the second turn, Campbell pulled on the right line and moved to the outside, advancing to second-over as the group passed the grandstand in :58.1.
The favourite held that position until the field rolled out of the third turn. At that point, Campbell angled three-wide and brushed to the lead on the way to a 1:28 three-quarters. Mappos Lion and Alritealritealrite quickly separated themselves from the field, but the one-time leader could not reel in the streaking veteran. Mappos Lion kicked home in :27.3 to win by 3-1/4-lengths. Hugh Heff and Randy Getto finished 11-3/4-lengths behind the runner-up in third.
Trained by Lee Collins, Mappos Lion is a gelded son of Sunshine Beach-Pacific Playmate. The victory is the sixth of the season at Northside. His other two wins came at Inverness Raceway, with the last producing a 1:55 score. The overall streak covers 11 races, dating back to July 19, 2025. Mappos Lion is now a winner in 38 of 91 career starts, with earnings of $323,727. He is owned by breeder Carol Campbell of Baddeck, N.S. and Hailee Currie of Rocky Point, P.E.I.
In the day’s last event, Race 10, pacer Last Chance made a break racing out of the first turn and unseated driver Richie Baryluk, resulting in a DNF. As the field circled the oval, Last Chance and Baryluk could be observed standing along the outside fence out of harm’s way, before returning to the paddock unassisted.
For the full results from Saturday's card, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs
(Standardbred Canada; photo of Mappos Lion winning on May 30)