Canada's Leading Racehorses

As the first half of the 2024 racing season concludes, Trot Insider highlights some of Canada's leading Standardbreds in wins, earnings, and speed records.

Most Wins:

-       Hugh Heff leads all racehorses with 14 victories out of 25 starts, ranking second in North America. Trained initially by Gerard Demers at Flamboro Downs, he set a lifetime mark of 1:53 at Georgian Downs before moving to Mandy Archer's stable at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

-       Pacing mares Watch Her Dewitt (trained by Shayne Barrington) and Outlaw Spiced Rum (trained by Travis Ellis) are tied with 12 wins each, both riding five-race win streaks heading into their next starts.

Top Earnings:

-       Nijinsky, undefeated in five starts, leads all horses with earnings of $623,500. His recent victory in the $1 million North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park significantly boosted his seasonal earnings. Trained by Tony Beaton, the Bettors Delight colt also won the $83,000 Somebeachsomewhere Stakes and $95,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series divisions.

-       Its A Love Thing, a three-year-old pacing filly trained by David Menary, follows with $368,250 in earnings, highlighted by wins in the $425,000 Fan Hanover, $141,500 SBOA Stakes, and a $140,000 OSS Gold division.

Speed Records:

-       Linedrive Hanover, trained by Tony Beaton, set the Canadian season's speed record with a mile in 1:47.2 at the Gold Cup Invitational at Mohawk.

-       Odds On Platinum, a three-year-old pacing filly trained by Dr Ian Moore, recorded Canada's fastest winning time on a five-eighths track with 1:50.3 in an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold division at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

-       Huntinthelastdolar clocked the national season's record on a half-mile track with a 1:50 mile in the Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup at Flamboro Downs, trained by Per Engblom.

-       Gaines Hanover, trained by Richard Moreau, posted a dazzling 1:50.2 mile in an Open Trot at Mohawk, also tying the all-time fastest trotting record in Canada.

-       Handsome Sebastian, trained by Cindy Horner, holds the season's trotting record for a five-eighths-mile track with a 1:54 mile in a June 28 qualifier at Kawartha Downs.

-       The Great Reset, trained by Lorne House, achieved a 1:55.3 victory on a half-mile track at The Raceway at Western Fair District, setting the fastest trotting winning time.

These records and achievements highlight the exceptional performances of Canada's top Standardbreds in the first half of the 2024 racing season.