Rideau Carleton Raceway hosted a pair of $10,000 Preferreds, which highlighted the 10-race card on Sunday, May 26, with Ima Standup Guy scoring in the trot, while Light The Torch took the featured pace.

Ima Standup Guy completed a sweep of the early double for trainer Mandy Archer, as the trotter teamed up with Robert Shepherd for the score.

Leaving from post four in the field of five, Shepherd settled a revved up Ima Standup Guy into third on the first turn while Archer stablemate Meadowbranch Noble (Guy Gagnon) led to the quarter in :28.

As the field passed the finish line for the first time, Shepherd angled Ima Standup Guy to the outside before reaching the leader's wheel at the half in :57.3. The stablemates duelled up the backstretch, with Meadowbranch Noble maintaining a short lead on the inside to three-quarters in 1:25.3.

The battle raged on the final turn, with Meadowbranch Noble utilizing the inside advantage to turn for home a length clear. In the lane, Ima Standup Guy simply refused to be denied, grinding out a :29.2 final quarter to cross the wire a length clear of Meadowbranch Noble in a lifetime-best effort of 1:55.1. Donatover and driver Robert Robinson finished third.

The victory was the third of 2024 for Ima Standup Guy through 15 seasonal outings. Owned by Jamie Copley, Kimberly Eaton along with Darren and Duane Tingley, the five-year-old gelded son of Archangel-Sierra Fortune has now banked $132,073 for his career.

Light The Torch shined brightly in the Preferred Pace, getting the job done with Pascal Berube in the bike.

Berube quickly claimed the pocket from post four while even-money favourite Aladdin (Stephane Brosseau) laid down the first quarter in :27.1. The field was content to follow Aladdin in straight alignment to the halfway point in :56.3 before Sauble Ace (Ryan Guy) led the charge first-over into third at three-quarters in 1:25.2.

Light The Torch patiently sat behind the leader around the far turn awaiting the passing lane while Aladdin brought the field into the stretch two lengths clear. Once shown daylight up the inside, Light The Torch exploded by a tiring Aladdin with a :27.4 final quarter to burst through to the lead. Jet Rock (Shepherd) uncorked a late rally from the backfield to move into second, by Light The Torch took the victory by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:53.2. Sauble Ace held for third to round out the trifecta.

Trained by Marc-Andre Simoneau, who co-owns The Light Speed along with Jean Fontaine, the pacer picked up his fourth victory on the year through nine starts and 10th victory lifetime. The four-year-old gelded son of Always B Miki-Surfer Chick pushed his career earnings to $65,774 with the victory.

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

(Standardbred Canada)