Raising Rusty capitalized on a break by favourite The Canam Banker to win the $10,000 Preferred Handicap Trot at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Wednesday, July 16 in an 11-1 upset.

The gelding was first away from the two-hole for trainer-driver Stephane Pouliot but surrendered front-end control to Rose Run Why Not (Pascal Berube) at the quarter in :28. The latter rolled through :58.1 and 1:27.2 middle splits with The Canam Banker (Guy Gagnon) galloping on the far turn just as he swung three-wide to start his move.

With the first-over Mvps Daughter (Sylvain Lacaille) retreating as they turned into the stretch, Raising Rusty found his way out and marched past Rose Run Why not to take the lead in mid-stretch. Tyrone Bow Tie (Ryan Guy) surged at the pylons from well back, but he was not in time to trouble Raising Rusty, who cruised home a one-length winner in 1:57. Tyrone Bow Tie finished second, and Rose Run Why Not held third. The winner paid $24.80.

Raising Rusty, with his first Rideau Preferred win since April, improved his seasonal totals to three victories in 16 attempts. The eight-year-old Kadabra-Raising The Bar gelding is 29-for-174 lifetime with $235,883 in earnings for 9096 9205 Quebec Inc. of Gloucester, Ont.

Leading trainer Mandy Archer was once again prominent on Wednesday’s eight-race card, with three winners. Her two entries in the opener were a head apart at the line with Tamara Hanover ($27.80) getting the nod over Mae Lose Control. Archer then won the third race with Final Text ($4.50) and the fifth race with Littlebearcat ($4.90) first off the claim. Archer is now 52-for-162 this season, a strike rate of 32.1 per cent. She has accrued an 18-win lead over Guy Gagnon in the trainers’ standings.

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

(Standardbred Canada)