A pocket trip was all the advantage Silent Swing needed to defend his title in the $162,000 Des Smith

Classic Pace on Sunday evening at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

Something else that helped his chances was the fact that the field was reduced by two due to the scratches of Shadow Play and Mattscape Seelster.

The Rideau Carleton Raceway faithful made Mr Saratoga the 7/5 favourite, and driver Jody Jamieson wasted little time in sending the Marty Fine pupil to the lead. Silent Swing and Randy Waples, in the meantime, slid conveniently into the garden spot.

Mr Saratoga hammered out hot fractions of :26.4, :54.4 and 1:23 before being confronted and then overtaken by Silent Swing. The seven-year-old son of Northern Luck – She Cantsay No only needed a :30-second final frame to post the win over Eagle Luck and Priceless Edition.

It worked out good; he left the gate good and he was able to get control right away,” said driver Randy Waples. “Jody [Jamieson driving Mr Saratoga] come and his horse just win in 1:50 over Georgian, so I knew he’d be live. And we always had the passing lane if we had to. I can’t say enough for the connections, Jean Louis [trainer Arsenault] had him great; he’s a great little horse. I’ve drove him since he was a two-year-old.

I didn’t really have a plan with him, I just drive him the way he wants to drive,” he added. “Sometimes he doesn’t feel like leaving the gate and I just let him do his thing. Tonight he had his nose right up on the gate and he was pushing it out of there, and I knew he wanted to get out of there. Everything worked real good.”

The victory was the third consecutive score for the veteran, who races for owners Dave Shea of Campbellville, ON and Reg Petitpas of Shediac Bridge, NB. The 34-time winner has banked $1,357,389 to date.

To view Sunday’s results, click here.