Crown Classic Beats The Boys At Rideau
Crown Classic won her Rideau Carleton debut beating the boys in Sunday night's co-featured $8,550 Winners Over Handicap Trot for trainer Per Henriksen.
Driven by Richard Simard, Crown Classic established the early lead from post four, but gave way to even-money favourite Unabating, who crossed to command by the quarter pole in :28. Unabating continued to lead through middle splits of :57.3 and 1:27.1 with Stellas Boy advancing first-up, but Crown Classic closed through the passing lane to reclaim the lead and defeat Unabating by a neck in 1:57.2. Stellas Boy finished one length behind in third.
Crown Classic was sent postward as the 3-2 second choice following a victory in Grand River Raceway's Preferred 3 last time out on September 18. She paid $5.10 to win.
The five-year-old Muscle Mass mare, who went over the $100,000 earnings mark with her eighth career win, is owned by Darryl Drain and Stig Westrum.
Stonebridge Beach delivered on his pari-mutuel promised in the matching Winners Over Handicap Pace for trainer/driver Stephane Pouliot.
The 8-5 favourite looped early leader Bestofbest Hanover at the quarter in :27 and cruised through a half in :56.1 and three-quarters in 1:23.4. Stonebridge Beach then held off inside closer Killer Thriller and pocket-puller Bestofbest Hanover to win by a half-length in 1:52.3.
The four-year-old son of Mach Three equalled his lifetime mark while notching his ninth career win and pushing his bankroll over $357,000.
Stonebridge Beach paid $5.40 to win.
He is owned by 9096 9205 Quebec Inc. and Meadowgem Farm Inc.
Trainer Jamie Copley enjoyed a productive night at the office with three winners early on Sunday -- all driven by Guy Gagnon -- then Yves Tessier enjoyed his own training triple during the back half of the 11-race program in partnership with driver Stephane Brosseau.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.