TORONTO, July 21, 2026 – Twice a month, Woodbine Mohawk Park will profile a Standardbred connected to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society (OSAS). This week’s installment belongs to P L Heavenly, who after making 40 starts around the Ontario harness racing circuit, found his forever home with Leslie Dusty in 2018. For Dusty, who raises cattle at her Port Perry, Ontario farm, the now 15-year-old bay has become a central part of her life, continuing a decades-long commitment to caring for horses. “I’m really grateful that OSAS is around, and I’m even more grateful that it was someone I knew that was involved and made the whole process of adopting him much less anxious,” said Dusty. “I trusted Heather [MacKay] implicitly. My instructions weren’t very thorough, I just said that I needed something. Whatever you have, it doesn’t matter – it’s going to be spoiled and have a home for the rest of its life.” Fun fact #1: P L Heavenly’s barn name is Finn. Fun fact #2: P L Heavenly’s dam Tymal Trinity, a daughter of Mach Three, earned north of $165,000 from just 14 career starts. Her greatest triumph came in a $101,481 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Elimination at Rideau Carleton on September 28, 2006, when she outdueled the distinguished duo of Michelles Power ($1.3 million earned) and Luck Of Michelle ($907,709). Fun fact #3: P L Heavenly began his career in the stable of Dan Clements, whose father, Norm, co-owned the legendary Cam Fella. The Clements’ farm is named Prince Lee Acres, giving rise to the “P L” in their horses’ names. P L Heavenly, now Finn P L Heavenly (ON) Foaled: April 7, 2011 Sire: Jeremes Jet Dam: Tymal Trinity Trainer: Mike Brealey (most recent) Owner: Leslie Dusty Breeder: Onlineharnessowner Com 4 OSAS Program Status: Adopted P L Heavenly and driver Trevor Henry winning Race 4 on January 30, 2016 at Woodbine (New Image Media) You went into the adoption process with an open mind. What made P L Heavenly, a.k.a. Finn, the perfect choice? “I had two horses at home at the time: my daughter’s riding horse [Sioux] and a school horse from where we used to ride that I took in after he retired. Unfortunately, our school horse died unexpectedly. Sioux was okay for the first couple of days and then he just got very quiet – I believe he felt alone. “I knew Heather was with OSAS, so I asked if she could help me, and she said, ‘Yes. What do you want?’ I said, ‘I don’t care if it’s broke to ride, mare, gelding, it doesn’t matter. I would just love a companion horse because Sioux’s friend had died, and I’ll be happy to have whatever you have available. That was P L Heavenly.” What does an average day on your farm look like for Finn? “He stands and eats from his hay feeder and grazes and gets treats. I give him his dinner at night because the pasture is on the smaller side, so he gets supplemented with hay and then dinner at night, which he expectantly waits for. He has his routines now, that’s for sure. “He raced until he was seven, so now he gets to enjoy a nice, easy retirement.” How would you describe your relationship with Finn and how has it grown over time? “He was very, I’d say, aloof at first. When they’re at home, I am out with them multiple times a day, checking on him, like ‘Do you need fly spray? How are your blankets?’ Feeding hay, feeding grain, all that type of stuff. Finn was just kind of aloof. He’d come over, but he wasn’t exactly approachable. He wasn’t mean or anything, but he was a little reserved. “Now, as soon as he hears me come out of the house, he yells to say hello. At night, he knows the routine – when it’s dinner time, when I go out to the barn, he’s the last thing I do before I go back up to the house. He’s nickering and whinnying and standing at the fence waiting for his dinner. He comes over for scratches now; he’s very, very talkative, which he wasn’t at first. He’s definitely come out of his shell over time.” P L Heavenly (Finn) and Friends What are you most grateful for when it comes to Finn being in your life? “My daughter moved her pony when she started working full-time, so I ended up having another one here to keep Finn company. Unfortunately, I lost that one two years ago, so it’s just been Finn and me. I’m very grateful to still have a horse at home because it feels normal. I’ve had as many as five here at a time. I’ve had at least one horse on the farm with me for 30 years, so having Finn here still makes it feel like home.” * Founded in 1996, OSAS is an approved charitable organization committed to assisting in the adoption and relocation of retired and non-racing Standardbred horses within Ontario. A primary mandate of the program is to showcase the versatility of the breed to horse lovers unfamiliar with harness horses. OSAS, which strives to educate and assist in the retraining and management of Standardbreds, relies heavily on volunteers and temporary foster homes to carry out its mission. Those interested in getting involved with OSAS and its cause can reach out at osashorses@gmail.com or call 905-339-6748, for more information. Matthew Lomon, for Woodbine Mohawk Park Share This:Share
