Rideau Carleton Raceway's top pacers and trotters put on an exciting show on Sunday evening (June 12) with a trio of Winners Over Handicaps ending in photo finishes.
In the first of two $6,500 pacing divisions, even-money favourite C L Art Magic ($4.10) took the lead at the quarter-pole and held on in a three-way photo finish for the win over passing lane pursuer Viper Select and first over challenger Mr Massimo. The five-year-old son of Artistic Fella prevailed by a head in 1:55.3 for trainer/driver Yves Filion and owners Ecuries C Leblanc Inc. and Sebastien Girouard.
Racing For Space ($19.60) protected his rail position to establish the lead from the start and also persevered by a head in 1:53.3 as 4-5 favourite Atomic Million Am closed in down the stretch off a pocket trip. Driver Jacques Beaudoin co-owns the five-year-old Real Desire gelding with Maurice Houle while Johanne Begin handles the training duties. Meersburg finished one and a quarter lengths behind in third.
In the $6,650 Winners Over Handicap Trot, Four Starz Speed ($11.90) was headed by Unabating approaching the half-mile mark, but fought back and then dug in down the stretch to secure the 1:57.2 victory by a nose over Stonebridge Rich, who closed through the passing lane off a ground-saving trip. Rocky Boy, the 4-5 favourite, followed two and three-quarter lengths behind in third. Pierre Desjardins drove the 11-year-old Conway Hall gelding to his 40th career win. The victory kicked off a training triple on the card for Sebastien Giroux, who also co-owns Four Starz Speed with Richard Dinelle.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.