Beauty Is Blind closed from seventh on the final turn to record her 50th career victory in dramatic fashion in an optional-claiming contest at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, Nov. 30.

Beauty Is Blind slotted into the three-hole early in the $6,000 event while the parked-out Blackjack Soleil (Eric Beausoleil) hung outside leader Red Cape Party (Daniel St. Pierre) in a :28.1 quarter over the track labelled good. Further action kicked off in front of the stands as Pascal Berube pulled Beauty Is Blind out behind Blackjack Soleil, prompting both Alwaysyourway (Robert Shepherd) and Latte Seelster (Stephane Pouliot) to swing three-wide around her, and the field raced in three lines past the half in 1:00.1.

Beauty Is Blind stepped around the fading Blackjack Soleil approaching three-quarters in 1:28.4 and formed up third-over briefly before tipping three-high again to begin her charge. She was widest of five in a battle royale down the lane, and she was the fastest home, roaring up in the final metres to prevail in 1:59.2. Alwaysyourway was a gutsy second off a tiring trip. Red Cape Party held third.

The eight-year-old Beauty Is Blind reached a half-century in wins in her 177th start and upped her total earnings to $254,794. Marc-Andre Simoneau conditions the daughter of Betterthancheddar-Fast Ruffles and co-owns her with Desjardins Noreau Stable of Quebec City, Que. and fellow Trois-Rivieres, Que. resident Jean Fontaine. The mare returned $12.30 to win.

Exotic Sand surged in deep-stretch to extend his winning streak to seven in the finale, an optional claimer with an $8,000 purse. The John MacMillan trainee had the golden chair behind leader P L Rinchenia (Shepherd) through :28.4, :58.4, and 1:27.1 fractions and took the tow into the stretch. The leader’s resistance lasted into deep-stretch, when Exotic Sand brought a final flurry to get up by a half-length in 1:56. Thrilling Times (William Roy) finished third, five lengths back of P L Rinchenia.

Exotic Sand is undefeated since moving to Rideau in October for MacMillan of Odessa, Ont., who co-owns the seven-year-old with 2099551 Ontario Inc. of Greely, Ont. The son of American Ideal-Jus Chilln Out notched his 23rd lifetime win in 102 starts and has now earned $174,650. His win price was $2.50.

Rideau host retirement ceremonies for a pair of 14-year-olds, National Debt and Silverado, both longtime battlers at the Ottawa, Ont.-area track.

National Debt was recognized in the winner’s circle following the fourth race. The son of Allamerican Native-Our Inheritance has been a regular in the Rideau Preferred ranks for the last eight years for owner Francois Morin. National Debt made the trip to the winner’s circle with Morin, Yves Tessier, who was the horse's trainer when at Rideau, and regular driver Pascal Berube to receive the presentation. The stallion compiled a record of 93 wins from 289 lifetime starts and earned $778,939. He made 133 appearances at Rideau, mainly at the Preferred level, and won 55 times at the track.

The connections of Silverado, who is recovering on stall rest after an injury, received a presentation after the first race. Owner-trainer Wayne Laviolette and family were on hand to accept the blanket, carrots, and placard. Laviolette owned the Mach Three-Armbro Velour gelding throughout his career and trained him for all but but a short U.S. stint in 2017. The gelding retires with 32 wins and $278,808 in earnings in 278 starts. He raced at Rideau 219 times with 27 wins.

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

(Standardbred Canada; photo of Beauty Is Blind winning on June 1)