Rideau Carleton Raceway hosted drivers Mario Baillargeon and Gilles Gendron—who both are of the few Canadian drivers with over 7,000 wins—on Sunday, May 19. The pair drove a total of 20 horses with their driving commission pledged to charity.

The charity outing served as a return to the sulky for Gendron, who—at age 74—had not raced since Sept. 30 last year. Gendron picked up more drives than Baillargeon, steering 11, and accrued checks while finishing no better than second. Baillargeon had nine drives on the 14-race card and recorded four wins, one second and one fifth-place finish. Together, the two's commission earnings totaled $904.40—all of which goes to Shepherds of Good Hope, a charity which aids homeless Ottawans in search for food and shelter.

"In spite of the rain the night was a resounding success," said NCRHHA Director John MacMillan. "The fans came out in the largest numbers of the season to meet the two legendary drivers and watch them perform on the track. As a trainer I was fortunate enough to have the honour and privilege of handing the lines to both Gilles and Mario tonight."

According to track manager Peter Andrusek, the on-track crowd bet season-high numbers at Rideau Carleton and off-track betting also saw a boost on the card.

While Baillargeon and Gendron were in town, Brosseau stole the show in the featured races on the night as he steered Flying Isa N and Musselsfrmbrussels to wins in the $8,100 Preferred Trot and Pace, respectively.

Flying Isa N sat off a tempo of :27.2, :56.2 and 1:25.2 set by favourite Pasadena Star. Brosseau pulled the Yves Tessier trainee first over heading to the half and ground towards the front before pulling a length-and-a-quarter better than pocket-sitter Lmc Mass Gem in the 1:55.2 mile. Pasadena Star settled for third as the 11-year-old Pegasus Spur gelding, owned by Francois Morin, paid $5.00 to win when collecting his 42nd victory from 156 starts.

Musselsfrmbrussels followed suit with a first-over grind off fractions of :27, :56.3 and 1:25 to win the Preferred Pace in 1:53.4 by three-quarter lengths over second-over Stonebridge Beach and late-race pacesetter and favourite Rub Ofthe Green N. The 11-year-old Modern Art stallion competes for owner The Three Gees Stable. Matthew McDonald conditions the $11.70 winner who won for the 52nd time from 255 outings.

Trainer Jamie Copley sent four winners on the card, one of which was driven by Baillargeon; the two teamed to send Oxford Comma ($9.00) to a wire-to-wire 1:54.4 victory in Race 10. Copley's other wins came with Hp Pandora ($9.70), Asterism ($10.90) and Reiki ($9.50).

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