I Ama Rocket nosed out Jet Rock in a photo finish for the win in the Sunday, Oct. 8 edition of the weekly $10,000 Preferred Handicap Pace at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

Driven by Pascal Berube, I Ama Rocket followed the cover of Aladdin (Stephane Brosseau) after a :27.1 first quarter when 1-2 favourite Legion Seelster (Samuel Fillion) looped early longshot leaver Lovemyrockinbird (Marie-Claude Auger) for the lead. Legion Seelster continued to front the field of nine through middle splits of :57.2 and 1:25.1 over the 'good' track while Aladdin progressed first-over then ducked into a gaping two-hole turning for home as I Ama Rocket launched off his back. I Ama Rocket thrust forward to pass a game Legion Seelster down the homestretch with last week's winner Jet Rock (Robert Shepherd) firing off his cover and making it a photo finish for the win. In the end, I Ama Rocket held on for the 1:54.2 victory by a nose over Jet Rock, with Legion Seelster just a half-length back in third. Aladdin finished 4-1/2 lengths behind in fourth.

I Ama Rocket has won two of his last three starts in Rideau's Preferred for trainer Mandy Archer and the Imagine Stable. The seven-year-old Custard The Dragon gelding has earned a dozen victories for the year to push his overall win count to 32 while his lifetime earnings have climbed to $318,601.

Sent off at odds of 5-1, I Ama Rocket paid $12.40 to win.

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