White hot is a great way to describe the kind of start that the stable of trainer Gary McDonald’s has had so far in

the 2010 racing season.

The Edwards, Ontario horseman watched starters from his barn make three trips to the winner’s circle on Thursday evening at Rideau Carleton Raceway, and that helped push this year’s record to 8-1-0 from the first 13 starts to swing behind the starting gate.

McDonald was kept off the score sheet until Race 10 when Le Moras Big Guy rallied to a 1:57.4 tally for driver John MacDonald, who enjoyed a big night of his own. He had four wins on the 15-race program.

That trainer/driver duo returned to take the checkered flag in Race 13 with Empty Sky, who catapulted off a second-over trip and drew off to win by more than three lengths in 1:57.4. They also took the finale with The Panductor, who chopped out splits of :28.3, :59 and 1:28.1 before finishing off his foes with a :29.2 closing panel en route to the 1:57.3 decision.

McDonald, who has watched his starters bank in excess of $2.5 million, finished his 2009 season with a career-high 58 wins while his purse earnings surpassed the $300,000 mark for the fourth consecutive season.

To view Thursday’s results, click here.