Undercover Bro trailed the six-horse field early on in Sunday's $6,500 Winners Over Handicap trotting feature at Rideau Carleton Raceway, but emerged down the stretch to complete his stealthy off-the-pace operation.
The six-year-old Classic Photo gelding earned his fifth victory of the season for the driver and trainer team of Stephane and Richard Lareau, who also co-owns with Stephane Legrand of St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que.
Leaving from the outside, Out Of The Hat crossed over to command just past the eighth of a mile mark and clocked the first quarter in :28-seconds before being overtaken by the parked and pressing favourite, Decret Justiciale, into the clubhouse turn. The new leader hit the half in :55.4.
Down the backstretch, Undercover Bro moved underway from the backfield and flushed out Rocky Boy from third. Rocky Boy then edged ahead of the leader at the 1:26.1 three-quarters mark and drew clear into the stretch. Although Undercover Bro had gapped his cover down the backstretch, he closed well down the lane and reached up in the final strides to prevail in 1:57.2. Rocky Boy had to settle for the runner-up honours a quarter-length back while Decret Justiciale finished third.
Undercover Bro paid $10 to win as the 4-1 third choice in the wagering.
In other action, Brian Paquet's homebred sophomore pacing colt Boogie Panic ($3.20) continued his undefeated win streak at Rideau after eight straight at Hippodrome 3R. With regular reinsman Denis St. Pierre aboard for trainer Francis Richard, the son of Major In Art took a new mark of 1:56.4 in a $4,900 event for non-winners of $15,000 lifetime.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.