Veteran pacer National Debt grabbed the lead early and fended all challengers to take a 1:52 victory in the $10,000 Preferred Handicap Pace on Sunday night (April 23) at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

Driver Pascal Berube bolted the 12-year-old stallion by Allamerican Native from post five to the lead past a :27 first quarter and kept the speed rolling through a :55.2 half. Sun Chip mounted a first-over challenge from fourth with The Light Speed tracking his cover all while National Debt carried his momentum to three-quarters in 1:23.4. National Debt turned for home with slightly shorter strides but grittily clung to command as Flash Cube came rolling late to settle for second, beaten three-quarter lengths. The Light Speed finished third and Lovemyrockinbird, off a pocket ride, settled for fourth.

Francois Morin owns National Debt, a now 90-time winner in 254 starts and an earner of $753,048. Yves Tessier trains the $3.80 winner.

Speak Of War won a race earlier to grab his fifth consecutive victory. The sophomore gelding by Artspeak rolled through fractions of :28.2, :57 and 1:25 to clock a 1:54.2 mile in a $6,200 conditioned pacing event and win by 3-1/2 lengths as the 2-5 favourite. Jamie Copley owns the gelding whose victory was one of many for the team of driver Guy Gagnon and trainer Mandy Archer.

Gagnon and Archer teamed for three wins total on the 10-race card Sunday while Gagnon notched two more to have himself a five-win night. The pair’s other wins together came with Lyleground (1:56 winning mile; $4.50 to win) and in the nightcap Twomacsonemach (1:53.4; $5.90) while Gagnon’s other wins came at the start of the card with a sweep of the early double by Betterontheisland (1:54.1; $2.60) and De Chairman (1:54; $7.60).

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