A pair of $9,200 Preferred Handicap events highlighted the 15-race card at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday (March 28) with Racemup winning in the pace and Mr Contestant rallying in the trot.

Racemup rolled to the lead from post 3, taking the field by the quarter in :27.1. Vanilla Malted, parked uncovered from the start, applied mild pressure while odds-on favourite National Debt tracked from second over. By the half in :57.2, Racemup continued to the lead as Vanilla Malted loomed closer and inched to leader’s wheel heading to three-quarters in 1:26. Though Vanilla Malted grew fatigued into the final turn, leaving Racemup to open a three-length lead as National Debt uncorked from second over and rolled after the leader late. At the finish, Racemup held a head advantage over National Debt while Avatar J finished third.

A six-year-old gelding by Whatayasay, Racemup won his 23rd race from 97 starts, earning $234,854. Victor Puddy drove the $8.50 winner for owners Gordon McDonald and Chris Boland while Marie Claude Auger sat in the sulky.

In the trot, Wildwild Men revved to a large lead early, fronting Crossfit by seven lengths to a :28.2 first quarter and maintaining that margin to a :58.4 half. However the field drew closer to Wildwild Men up the backstretch, with 8-5 favourite Undercover Strike advancing first over tracked by Mr Contestant. Past three-quarters in 1:28.4, Wildwild Men held a narrow advantage as Undercover Strike stalled to the outside and driver Stephane Brosseau angled Mr Contestant three wide. Once given clear racetrack, Mr Contestant edged to the front to stop the clock in 2:00.1 while Crossfit slid up the pylons for second and Wildwild Men held third.

Co-owned by trainer John MacMillan with 2099551 Ontario Inc., Mr Contestant won his 17th race from 95 starts, earning $204,085. The six-year-old Winning Mister gelding paid $9.80 to win.

Trainer Anne Marie Turenne scored a hat trick on the card, with Santanna Tony ($5.00), Western Phil ($12.90) and Reddit Hanover ($7.10) scoring victories.

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