Reigning leading trainer Mandy Archer was on the mark once again, training three winners on the 11-race Sunday, April 14 card at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

Archer teamed up with driver Guy Gagnon for her fist victory on the card in the evening's second race with Inukshuk Sally. Leaving from post six in the field of nine, Gangnon landed the 3-5 favourite in fifth in the early stages as Battle Of York (Stephane Pouliot) passed on the pocket trip just beyond the opening quarter of :28.4. Battle Of York continued to lead to the half in :58.3 before Gagnon fired up Inukshuk Sally first-up, hustling to a clear lead at three-quarters in 1:27.2. Inukshuk Sally motored home from there a 3-1/2-length winner in 1:56.3 over Bestgirl In Town (Melanie Plourde).

Owned by Dean Larkin, Inukshuk Sally notched her first victory of 2024 though three seasonal outings. The victory was the second in the career for the three-year-old daughter of Big Jim-Camps Bay who has now banked $8,112 for her career. 

Archer teamed up once again with Gagnon for her second victory, with Allstar Cheddar scoring on the engine in the evening's fourth race. Allstar Cheddar took flight off the gate from post four, quickly crossing over in front of the field with a :27.3 first quarter. The 1-5 favourite went unchallenged on the lead to the half in :57.4 before Jims Big Thrill moved into second at three-quarters in 1:26.4. Allstar Cheddar proved to be sharp on the lead, cruising home in :28.3 to cross the line 3-1/4 lengths clear in 1:55.2 over Howmac Victor (Guy Ryan).

Allstar Cheddar remained perfect through two starts in 2024 for owner Jamie Copley. The four-year-old gelded son of Betterthancheddar-Debutante Divorcee is now a four-time winner for his career, sporting lifetime earnings of $34,282. Gagnon would go on to have a driving grand slam, scoring two more victories on the card with Beach Journey and Show Me The Magic, both of which Gagnon also trains.

Archer completed her hat-trick on the evening with Robert Shepherd aboard Speaker Nancy in the sixth race. Speaker Nancy was loud and clear from the jump, taking command as the 1-2 favourite through the first quarter in :28.2. Speaker Nancy was respected on the lead to the half in :58 before D A Temptation (Guy Gagnon) charged to the leader's wheel on the backstretch. Speaker Nancy led to three-quarters under Shepherd urging in 1:26.1 as D A Temptation continued to apply pressure in the lane. Speaker Nancy dug in gamely to fend off D A Temptation by a half-length in 1:55.1 on the wire. 

Speaker Nancy is a three-time winner in as many starts in 2024 for owners Jamie Copley and Ottawabob Racing Stable. A 14-time winner overall for her career, the five-year-old daughter of Artspeak-Lets Imagine pushed her career earnings to $230,129 with the victory. 

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

(Standardbred Canada)