Familiar faces and new voices highlighted the kick off to the Rideau Carleton Raceway meet as The Light Speed and Guy Gagnon teamed up to take down the $10,000 Preferred Pace, one of the reigning leading driver's five winners on the Sunday, March 24 card.

Starting from the outside post six, Gagnon nestled The Light Speed into the fourth position off the gate while P L Ozzy and Robert Shepherd forged to the lead to the outside of Shotgun Jerry and Stephane Pouliot through an opening quarter of :28. P L Ozzy continued to have things his way to the half in :57.4 before The Light Speed was flushed first-over from fourth and began his march to the front. The Light Speed brought himself to the leader's wheel up the backstretch under Gagnon urging with P L Ozzy the first to three-quarters in 1:25.4.

Taking advantage of his inside advantage on the turn, P L Ozzy turned for home 1-1/2 lengths clear at the top of the stretch with The Light Speed and Shotgun Jerry in hot pursuit. The Light Speed's grit shined bright in the lane, offering a relentless charge in the stretch. Closing in :28.2, The Light Speed nailed a game P L Ozzy on the wire by a head in 1:54.2. Shotgun Jerry held for the show spot.

One of Gagnon's two training victories on the card, The Light Speed earned his second victory through seven seasonal outings. Owned by Michel Nolette, the six-year-old gelded son of Moon Beam-Jayma has now earned $345,214 lifetime.

Gagnon also teamed up with defending leading trainer at Rideau Carleton, Mandy Archer, for two of her three training victories on the card. Gagnon was in the bike behind Speaker Nancy and Meadowbranch Noble in a stretch which saw him win races seven through 10 on the card. 

Gagnon's additional victory came in the first race on the card aboard Beach Roller for trainer Gilbert Mercier. In for the call of the first race was longtime Rideau Carleton track announcer John MacMillan before he turned the mic over to Melissa Keith for the remainder of the card. It was previously announced that Keith will assume full time announcing duties for the five-eighths mile oval for MacMillan moving forward. 

The 2024 Rideau Carleton season will continue on Sundays moving forward with a first post of 6:30 p.m. before adding Thursday night cards to the rotation beginning on April 25.

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

(Standardbred Canada)