Rideau Carleton Raceway’s Sunday (June 20) program featured a pair of $9,200 Preferred events, with National Debt winning on the pace and Lestenpercent taking the trot.

National Debt left the gate slowly, but commandeered the field past the quarter and held firm to the finish of a 1:53.3 mile. The 10-year-old stallion by Allamerican Native raced parked from fifth past a :27.1 first quarter before landing on the lead past the stands first time. The Regulator angled first over, tracked by Racemup, to apply pressure on National Debt to a :56.2 half and through three-quarters in 1:24.3.

Matching strides with the leader into the final turn, National Debt turned away The Regulator and scooted to a two-length lead off the turn. Racemup tipped off cover to cut into the winner’s margin and take second, beaten 1 1/2 lengths, with The Regulator holding third.

Owned by Francois Morin, National Debt won his third race from seven starts this season and his 69th from 205 overall, earning $627,039. Pascal Berube drove the $4.40 winner for trainer Yves Tessier.

Driver Rodney La Framboise employed a first-over grind for Lestenpercent to win in the Preferred Trot. Sitting fifth by a :28 first quarter set by Magic Night, Lestenpercent edged first over moving to a :58.2 half, where odds-on choice Seeyou Men then led the field after clearing the front by the quarter.

Lestenpercent loomed closer to Seeyou Men up the backside, drawing alongside by three-quarters in 1:27.1. The six-year-old Justice Hall gelding inched a neck in front straightening for the finish and downed his rival while holding off pocket rocket Magic Night to win by three-quarter lengths in 1:56.2. Seeyou Men faded to third.

Trained and owned by Paul Laframboise, Lestenpercent won his third race from six starts this season and his 23rd from 82 overall, earning $115,905. He paid $9.10 to win.

Conditioner Anne Turenne scored a hat trick on the 12-race card. Her first win on the night came with an off-the-pace victory by Genesee ($7.20). Two races later, she collected back-to-back wins with her pupils Fit Bitt ($8.40) and Western Phil ($6.40) both finishing first in front-stepping fashion.

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