A multiple winner on Sunday at Rideau Carleton Raceway, trainer/driver Guy Gagnon made his final visit of the night to the winner's circle with Cobalt Man after taking the $8,250 Preferred Handicap Pace by a neck.
Gagnon pulled Cobalt Man from the pocket approaching the third quarter mark and took command from torrid pacesetter The Roadies (:26, :53.4, 1:22.2) then held off favourite Windsun Cheyenne at the end of the 1:52.1 mile. Third-place honours went to Canadian Edition, who finished two lengths behind in a three-way photo finish.
Gagnon trains, drives and co-owns the 10-year-old Rocknroll Hanover-Lady Indigo gelding, who returned $12.70 to win as the 5-1 third choice on the toteboard.
Claimed for $25,000 on April 9 at Woodbine Racetrack, Cobalt Man is also shared in ownership by Gestion Louis Latulippe Inc. and Gestion Bruno Blouin Inc. The win was his fifth this year from 16 starts and 43rd lifetime putting his career earnings at $556,918.
Gagnon also won the first three races on the program with his own pacer Cliff Drummond and Jamie Copley trainees Natural Kemp and Saulsbrook Lanny.
The co-featured $8,550 Preferred 2 Trot was won by Francois Morin's 10-year-old gelding Flying Isa N ($15.80) in 1:55.4 over Pasadena Star in another close finish. Driver J.R. Plante was aboard as the son of Pegasus Spur and Sun Isa closed from fourth to score by a nose for trainer Yves Tessier. Flying Isa N was also a recent claim, at a price of $14,000 from Woodbine on March 29.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.