Rideau Carleton Raceway's leading driver-trainer combination of Simon and Rene Allard swept all three opening leg divisions of the Out Like A Lion Series on Friday night at the Ottawa oval
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But first, 42-year-old Saint-Andre-D'Argenteuil, Que. trainer Daniel St. Jacques celebrated his first career win with 62-1 Rustling Queen upsetting the first race for filly and mare maidens. Rustling Queen, who trailed the field last week as St. Jacques' first starter, front-stepped her way to a 1:58 wide open six and a quarter length victory Friday night with Claude Larose back in the bike. The three-year-old Rustler Hanover filly returned a whopping $127.90 to her backers.
The Allards won the first $7,500 series division in the second race with four-year-old Southfork gelding Rae Conns Dyl Emma ($2.10). The heavy favourite romped to an eight and three-quarter length victory in 1:59.1 for owner-breeder George Grant of Oakwood, Ont.
The brothers scored next with Latorraca ($5.60) for owners Windemere Farms of North Wiltshire, P.E.I., Ian Donald of Fredericton, N.B., and breeder Lawrence Vincent of Bogota, New Jersey. The Giant Hit four-year-old edged past slight favourite Mailman Bob for the 1:59.4 quarter-length triumph with Nuriev Dream just a half-length behind in third.
The Allards completed their series opener sweep with Future Talent ($3.30) winning by four and three-quarter lengths in 1:59.2 over stablemate Lei Trevino, driven by Darrell Colville. Rene Allard owns the four-year-old Glidemaster mare.
The series is for non-winners of $30,000 (F/M $37,500) lifetime as of Dec. 31, 2011.
Simon Allard finished the evening with a driving grand slam.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.