Trotter Raising Richard ($2.40) and pacer Ufdragons Rocket ($4.50) delivered on their pari-mutuel promises in the weekly co-featured $8,550 Preferred Handicaps on Sunday night (April 29) at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Trained by Ed McHale and driven by Darrell Coville, Raising Richard cleared Jetcrest (Stephane Brosseau) past the :28 quarter-mile mark and trotted on top through middle splits of :57.2 and 1:26.4 while building up an insurmountable three and a half length lead. In the end, the 1-5 favourite prevailed in 1:57 flat by one length with Flying Isa N (Pascal Berube) and Pasadena Star (Stephane Pouliot) closing off cover to finish second and third, respectively.
John MacMillan shares ownership of the six-year-old Deweycheatumnhowe-Raising The Bar gelding with 2099551 Ontario Inc. Raising Richard now sports a 50 per cent win rate from 10 seasonal starts.
With Pascal Berube in the sulky for trainer Yves Tessier, 6-5 favourite Ufdragons Rocket emerged between early leavers before Mach Deja Vu (Stephane Lareau) crossed in front. Mach Deja Vu led the field through fractions of :27.2, :57.1 and 1:25.3 with Stonebridge Beach (Stephane Pouliot) pressing the pace and taking over in the drive to the wire. Down the stretch, Windsun Cheyenne (Stephane Brosseau) rallied off cover while Ufdragons Rocket got around the fading Mach Deja Vu and closed inside. Spread three-across the finish line, Ufdragons Rocket nosed out Stonebridge Beach and Windsun Cheyenne in 1:54.3.
Owned by Francois Morin, the nine-year-old gelded son of Dragon Again and Pacific Monterey has earned five wins this year from a dozen starts.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.