Top Standardbreds Shine as 2024 Harness Racing Season Reaches Final Stretch

As the 2024 harness racing season enters its final stretch, Trot Insider highlights some of Canada’s top-performing Standardbreds in wins, earnings, and records.

Leading all Standardbreds in Canada—and North America—is Hugh Heff, a four-year-old gelding with 20 wins. After securing 14 victories in Ontario under Gerard Demers and Mandy Archer, Hugh Heff joined Dana Getto’s stable in Nova Scotia and has been undefeated in six races at Northside Downs.

Claiming mares Outlaw Spiced Rum, trained by Chris Lancaster, and Watch Her Dewitt, trained by Shayne Barrington, share second place with 14 wins each. Meanwhile, the top trotters—O Narutac Perfetto, BBC Sportsboy, and Wheelzablazin—each boast 10 wins.

Nijinsky, the North America Cup champion, leads all Standardbreds in earnings with $852,000, having won eight races in Canada, including major titles like the North America Cup and Simcoe Stakes. Close behind is two-year-old trotting colt Maryland, winner of the Mohawk Million, with $791,100 in earnings.

On the speed front, Linedrive Hanover still holds the Canadian season's fastest pacing time of 1:47.2, while Saulsbrook Victor set the season’s five-eighths-mile track record at 1:49.1. For trotters, Gaines Hanover’s 1:50.2 mile at Woodbine Mohawk Park remains the fastest of the season and ties the all-time Canadian record.

With strong performances across the board, these Standardbreds have set the stage for an exciting finish to the 2024 racing season.