Upsets were the order of the day as the first leg of the Governor's Cup went postward on Saturday, Oct. 28 at Northside Downs.
Two $1,700 divisions were contested on Saturday afternoon, with the second leg in a week's time on Nov. 4 before the $5,000 final and $3,000 consolation on Sunday, Nov. 12.
The Big Chase ($9.30) delivered in his return to Cape Breton, making his first start at Northside since the 2021 edition of the Governor's Cup Series. Harold Leblanc Jr. gave the six-year-old his marching orders to set the pace, and the tandem lulled their four rivals to sleep through a tepid tempo of :30.2, 1:02.4 and 1:32.3 before sprinting home in :29.2 for the win in 2:02.
A Better Man (Gerard Kennedy) scooted up along the pylons to finish second by three parts of a length. Favoured Q Ts Charlie (Adam Lynk) was a non factor after a pocket trip and finished third.
Co-owned by trainer Ian McKinnon along with with Ken McKinnon and Sonny MacDougall, The Big Chase (Western Paradise - April Dawns Star) picked up his fourth win of the year and 16th lifetime to lift his career bankroll to $79,472.
The second first leg division provided the most fireworks as Dressel Hanover ($45.30) scored as one of the longest priced horses on the entire card.
Ardon Mofford used his inside starting spot to gain early control with Dressel Hanover and force Gentry Seelster (Mark Pezzerello) and favoured Rotten Ronnie (Redmond Doucet) to take a seat behind him. After a first quarter of :28, Doucet did right-line Rotten Ronnie for an overland approach and pressured Dressel Hanover through middle splits of :58.1 and 1:28.2. Within a quarter of a length at the head of the stretch, Rotten Ronnie couldn't collar the pacesetter. Eastcoast Invader (Monica Sutherland) angled into the four path turning for home but fell 1-1/2 lengths short of Dressel Hanover, who hit the wire in 1:58.4. Revenant (Zach Mullins) rounded out the top trio.
Greg White of North Sydney, N.S. owns Dressel Hanover (Bettors Delight - Dont Deny Me), now a six-time winner both on the season and in his career. His earnings now stand at $15,173.
Mofford's training win with Dressel Hanover completed a training triple on the afternoon card. The leading trainer and driver this season at Northside also connected with Lazy Day Hanover (2:02.3; $4.90) in the eighth race and Motion Of The Ocean (1:58; $4.70) in the second.
For full results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.