First win of season for Hughes

Harness racing trainer Rod Hughes earned his first win of the season on Monday (Aug. 19) at Grand River Raceway as he sent Top Cut (Shadow Play) out for the second time.

The rookie filly, previously trained by Gregg McNair, settled in third for driver Brett MacDonald. She shifted out turning for the backstretch, pulled to the lead, and held off Lenys Girl (Daryl Thiessen) for her second career win in 1:58.4.

TOP CUT REPLAY

Top Cut, making her second start for owners Alan Mitchell and Rosalie Denne, is two-for-four lifetime. She debuted for Hughes on Aug. 7 in the Prospect Series. The trainer had 46 starts prior to his first win of 2024 on Monday with three seconds and eight thirds.

The next card at Grand River Raceway is set for Wednesday, Aug. 21.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink