Positioned at the precipice of a major milestone since late 2021, Richard Simard knocked out the last two victories needed to place him in the 6,000-win club during the card at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday (Aug. 11).

Simard sat at 5,998 wins coming into the 2022 season. He has also had fewer assignments this year with 45 total drives by the end of the card Thursday. But “The Black Cat” completed the card with vigor, winning in Race 8 behind his own pupil Red Cape Party going coast to coast in 1:57.3 and wrapped the evening with a front-stepping effort to No. 6,000 when piloting De Chairman to a 1:54 win.

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Competing as a driver since 1982, Simard has been a consistent competitor through his career, registering nearly 40,000 drives and earning $33 million in purses. His best year in wins came back in 1997 when he made 418 trips to the winner’s circle, though his best year in the bank was in 2002 when he earned $2,385,756 in purses. The two victories by Simard on Thursday night are his only wins so far of the 2022 season.

The milestone for Simard occurred after the featured race on the card, the $10,500 Preferred Handicap Trot. The team of Robert Shepherd and Isabelle Darveau again landed in the winner’s circle with Black Tie Bash. Sitting off the speed from his assigned post, Black Tie Bash raced a parked mile but caught cover from odds-on favourite Ripped And Ready after a :28.3 first quarter and to a :57.4 half. Ripped And Ready then dug into tempo-setter Fix A Drink to three-quarters in 1:26.3 and soon edged by the tiring leader to the final turn. But Shepherd uncorked his charge swinging for home and swooped to a 2-1/2-length win chased home by Raising Rusty. Ripped And Ready held third and Holdin Aces finished fourth.

A four-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven, Black Tie Bash has now won 11 races from 50 starts and banked $111,258. Shepherd owns the Isabelle Darveau trainee, who paid $9.20 to win.

To view Thursday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results – Rideau Carleton Raceway.