Another Rideau Victory For Unabating

Published: May 30, 2016 12:12 am EDT

Unabating seems to be making the Rideau Carleton Raceway winner's circle his second home this month as he stopped by for his third photo op following another victory in the weekly $6,800 Winners Over Handicap Trot on Sunday, May 29.

Driven by Guy Gagnon, Unabating worked to the lead over slight 7-5 favourite Rocky Boy during the 28-second opening quarter and continued to front the field through middle splits of :58.2 and 1:26.3 while keeping first over challenger Four Starz Speed at bay. Down the stretch, Rocky Boy closed inside the race leader while Raising Richard rallied off cover, but those two had to settle for top-three finishes for the second week in a row as Unabating held on for the 1:56.2 victory. Rocky Boy finished half a length behind in second, with Raising Richard two lengths back in third. Unabating paid $4.80 to win.

Unabating has now won three of his four starts in the top trotting class this month at Rideau for owner Catheline Pelletier of Mirabel, Que.

The eight-year-old Broadway Hall gelding completed a training triple on the program for Rideau's 2016 leading conditioner Gerard Demers. The win was also Gagnon's third on the night, but Louis Philippe Roy maintained his short lead in the Rideau driver standings with four Sunday successes at the Ottawa oval (48-46).

Stepping up to the co-featured $6,950 Winners Over Handicap Pace for the first time in five Rideau starts, Mr Massimo came out on top for trainer Gary McDonald and owner Alex McDonald of Edwards, Ont.

After giving way to Meersburg at the :27.2 quarter pole, Mr Massimo and driver Clarke Steacy played "follow-the-leader" through the following panels of :57 and 1:25.2 before coming back on via the passing lane to score the one and a half length victory in 1:55. Also a winner last time out, the 10-year-old Astreos gelding was the 7-2 third choice on the toteboard and paid $9.70 to win. Beach Runner A M closed from second-over to snag the runner-up role from Meersburg.

In other action, Denis Guindon won his first training start on Sunday as his 11-year-old pacing gelding Viper Select ($3.20) prevailed in the opener by half a length in 1:53.4. Paired with Gagnon, Viper Select moved up on cover from fourth at the third quarter mark and then rallied wide to pass pacesetter Rock Fame in deep stretch. Shootin To Kill followed off a pocket trip three lengths behind in third.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Racewau.

Tags
Have something to say about this? Log in or create an account to post a comment.