Canada’s winningest horse scores at new track

Hugh Heff (Betterthancheddar), the leading harness racing horse in wins in Canada this year, made his Northside Downs debut on Saturday (Aug. 24) and added a 15th victory of the season.

His new rivals put the gelding to the test. Longshot Q Ts Charlie (Jeremy Baker) claimed an early lead from post two and hung out Hugh Heff, who slogged first-over through fractions of :28, :57.1, and 1:26. The duellers both dug deep coming around the final turn, but Hugh Heff’s class shone through as he edged clear coming down the lane for Randy Getto. The gelding drew away by two lengths to complete the victory in 1:57.1. Q Ts Charlie held second over the closing Thunder Alley (John Kennedy).

HUGH HEFF REPLAY

Hugh Heff has now won 15 times on the season in 29 starts. He previously raced for trainers Gerard Demers and Mandy Archer before moving to Dana Getto’s barn earlier this month. Randy Getto of New Waterford, Susan Macsween of River Ryan, and Wayne Hardy of Sydney own the four-year-old, now a 23-time lifetime winner with $98,141 in earnings through 62 outings.

Racing will resume at Northside Downs on Saturday, Aug. 31.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink