Usually, Hugh Heff finds himself all by himself at the wire. On Saturday, Aug. 30 at Northside Downs,the winningest Standardbred of 2024 hit double digits in wins this season after prevailing in a three-across finish.
Leaving from post two in the $1,700 Winners Over Pace, Hugh Heff and driver Randy Getto sat a loose pocket early to an amped-up Candid Cameron (Ardon Mofford) as the first fraction flashed up in :29.1 over the track listed as good. Getto right-lined the 1/4 choice just before the :59.4 half, flushed from the pocket by an advancing Red Rum She Wrote (Martin Bates).
Hugh Heff started to find his best stride heading down the backside, making a dent in the leader's adavntage as the third fraction popped up in 1:29.4. With Red Rum She Wrote fading, Q Ts Charlie (Shawn Lynk) found room to slip from the pocket into the three path and showed he'd be a factor turning for home.
Deep in the stretch, Hugh Heff headed Candid Cameron and held off the late burst from Q Ts Charlie by reaching the wire in 1:59.3 Q Ts Charlie was next best, back half a length with Candid Cameron completing the triactor ticket.
Sporting a summary of 10-2-2 from his 14 seasonal starts, Hugh Heff now boasts 42 wins in his 88 appearances with career earnings exceeding $116,000. Dana Getto trains the five-year-old son of Betterthancheddar - Danika Patrix for Randy Getto, Susan MacSween and Wayne Hardy of Nova Scotia.
As the 1/4 choice, Hugh Heff returned $2.60 to win.
To view the complete results from the Saturday card of harness racing in Cape Breton, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)