North America’s winningest horse beaten after 10

Eastcoast Invader (Rollwithitharry) ended the 10-race winning streak of Hugh Heff, harness racing’s North American leader in wins this season, in the Governor’s Cup second leg at Northisde Downs on Saturday.

Eastcoast Invader got away fifth for Monica Sutherland and trailed for much of the mile. Hugh Heff (Randy Getto) went on the attack before the quarter in :29 and didn’t see the pylons again until the last turn, trekking uncovered through :58.3 and 1:28.1 middle panels.

Hugh Heff struck the front going into the final turn and took control with Eastcoast Invader making a four-wide charge from the back. The former led by a length at the top of the lane, but Eastcoast Invader unleashed a final charge to the line and nabbed him by a quarter-length for the 1:57.4 victory.

Hugh Heff was a hard-fought second. Heave Away (Ryan Campbell) finished third.

EASTCOAST INVADER REPLAY

Eastcoast Invader, the defending Governor’s Cup champion, is now 24-for-122 lifetime with $40,890 in earnings. The seven-year-old has raced mainly in the top class at Inverness Raceway this season but was a three-length winner in the first leg of the series. Sutherland trains the gelding and co-owns him with Todd Sutherland.

Shir Gain (Blue Burner, Rod Gillis) captured the first Governor’s Cup leg two division. He sat third behind battling leaders until firing three-wide down the backstretch and drawing clear down the lane to a length-and-three-quarter victory in 1:58.2. He wore down leader Q Ts Charlie (Jeremy Baker), who finished second. Kraken Seelster (Ardon Mofford) was third.

SHIR GAIN REPLAY

Shir Gain, a recent arrival from Western Canada, is owned and trained by Don Beaton of Port Hood. The six-year-old has won 18 of 110 career starts and has earned $77,324.

The fields are now set for the Governor’s Cup final and consolation. They are listed below.

Governor’s Cup Final:

• Eastcoast Invader
• Hugh Heff
• Kraken Seelster
• Q Ts Charlie
• Shir Gain

Consolation:

• Afair Somewhere
• Dontblvmejustwatch
• Heave Away
• Runaway Mystery
• Thunder Alley

The next card at Northside Downs is set for Saturday, Nov. 9, the track’s penultimate card of the season.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink