Speed dominated the Preferred events at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday (July 5) as Severus Hanover wired his competition in the $9,200 Trot and National Debt strolled in the $9,200 Pace.

In the Preferred Trot, Severus Hanover cleared command from post 3 as Cascada parked but soon ducked into the pocket past a :28.1 first quarter. Severus Hanover then trotted under minimal pressure through a :57.2 half and by three-quarters in 1:27. Cascada, nearing the final turn, pulled pocket but stalled wide of Severus Hanover while odds-on favourite Im The Muscle tipped off the pegs and caught cover second over. Im The Muscle kicked off cover moving into the stretch and rallied for the lead late, but Severus Hanover maintained control to win by a head in 1:56.2. Hat Trick Marleau took third.

A nine-year-old gelding by Explosive Matter, Severus Hanover won his fourth race from 12 starts this season and his 24th from 158 overall, earning $197,043. Yannick Martel owns and trains the $10.40 winner while Pascal Berube sat in the bike.

Berube also held the reins behind National Debt, sending that one to a coast-to-coast score in 1:52.

National Debt cleared command from 3-5 favourite Lit De Rose past a :27.4 first quarter and managed to slow the pace to a :57.1 half. As the tempo slowed, Brigadierbronski A angled first over and advanced towards the leader in the backstretch. Brigadierbronski A drew within a neck of the lead passing three-quarters in 1:24.3 but began to tire into the final turn. Through the stretch National Debt faced minimal challenge as he hit the finish one-and-a-quarter lengths better than Lit De Rose. Vanilla Malted finished another four lengths behind in third.

Owned by Francois Morin, National Debt won his fourth race from nine starts this season and his 58th from 177 overall, earning $557,349. Yves Tessier conditions the nine-year-old Allamerican Native stallion who paid $12.40 to win.

On the 10-race program, trainer-driver Guy Gagnon managed to visit the winner’s circle with four of his pupils. He scored a natural hat trick starting in Race 2 with a blowout victory by Its Eds Idea ($3.20), and followed with wins by Wildwild Men ($5.20) and Take The Deal ($6.70). Gagnon completed his grand slam a few races later, overcoming a parked mile to win with Sos Justified ($2.20).

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