Trainer Guy Gagnon sent three of his pupils to victory on Sunday (Sept. 19) at Rideau Carleton Raceway, including the winner of the co-featured $9,200 Preferred Handicap Pace.

Gagnon piloted his trainee The Light Speed to victory in the pacing event, scoring a 1:52.4 win against older rivals.

The sophomore gelding by Moon Beam cleared command by a :27 first quarter and maintained his speed to a :55.4 half as Eclat De Rire tried to make gains first over. With the tempo remaining hot to three-quarters in 1:23.4, Eclat De Rire began to retreat while National Debt surged off cover around the final turn to give pursuit to The Light Speed in the stretch. The Light Speed had enough in the tank to maintain control to the line, besting National Debt by 2-1/4 lengths with Shadow Margeaux rallying for third.

A homebred for Michel Nolette, The Light Speed won his 10th race from 14 starts this season and his 12th from 25 overall, earning $68,569. He paid $4.80 to win.

The victory in the Preferred came sandwiched in Gagnon’s hat trick, with the conditioner winning the start prior with Fcee N ($4.60) and the race following with Thundering Jim ($2.60).

Crossfit cruised uncovered to the lead and put away his competition to take the $9,200 Preferred Handicap Trot in 1:55.1.

Assigned post 5, Crossfit floated off the wings to race fourth while Ripped And Ready cleared control past a :28 first quarter. He slowed the tempo to a :57.3 half, prompting driver Marie Claude Auger to send Crossfit out of fourth and for the lead with a lap to go. The five-year-old Donato Hanover gelding collared Ripped And Ready into the backstretch, crossed to the lead past three-quarters in 1:26 and opened on the field around the final turn to win by 2-1/2 lengths. Gloire Dream tracked the winner’s move to take second with Westfiftysecond coming from third over for third.

Owned by Gordon McDonald and Chris Boland, Crossfit won his fourth race from 21 starts this season and his 16th from 71 overall, earning $183,216. Vic Puddy trains the $10.30 winner.

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