The Love Bug held off the pocket-pulling favourite on Sunday night (December 18) to earn his third straight victory at Rideau Carleton Raceway and second in a row in the $6,650 top-level Winners Over Handicap Pace.

The Love Bug assumed command from post four and led the field of seven through panels of :28.1, :58.1 and 1:26.2 en route to a 1:55.1 victory during the -22 degree evening in Ottawa. Wildcat Cam (Brett MacDonald), the 8-5 favourite, charged out of the pocket late in the mile and finished three-quarters of a length behind the winner, who returned $8.60 to his backers as the 3-1 third wagering choice, while the first-up Bazinga Brad (Louis-Philippe Roy) finished over three lengths back in third.

Owned by trainer Stephen and Michelle Leblanc of Perth, Ont., The Love Bug has teamed up with driver Richard Simard for all three of his December victories. Overall in 2016, the nine-year-old Artesian-Poeme gelding sports a 5-5-5 scorecard from 36 starts.

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