What A Rush earned his third straight victory at Rideau Carleton Raceway, rallying off cover in the $6,500 Winners Over Handicap Trot, which co-featured on the January 1 harness racing program in the nation's capital.
Last in the shortened field of five through the first half-mile, What A Rush and Future Star Award finalist Brett MacDonald tracked the cover of Out Of The Hat (Stephane Pouliot) and then powered past that mare after she cleared to the front to win by almost four lengths in 1:59 flat. Jetcrest (Ted McDonald) followed in third off a two-hole trip.
What A Rush paid $4.50 to win as the 6-5 second choice on the toteboard. After leading through opening panels of :28.1 and :59.1, 3-5 favourite Maximus Deo (Richard Simard) was collared by Out Of The Hat at the 1:29.1 third quarter mark and faded through the field.
MacDonald drove What A Rush for his father Ron, who owns and trains the six-year-old Federal Flex-Casual Breeze gelding.
Wildcat Cam led wire-to-wire in the matching pacing division for driver Gilles Gendron.
Firing out of post two, the six-year-old Camluck-Armbro Champagne gelding pocketed Meersburg (Ted McDonald) through a :27.3 opening quarter and then stole a second quarter breather to the half in :59.2. With Meersburg launching back out at the 1:28 third quarter mark and the late-closers looming, Wildcat Cam forged on down the stretch to win in 1:56.3. Solid Performance (Brett MacDonald) edged out Meersburg for second, one and a half lengths behind the winner.
Wildcat Cam, who finished a close second in his last start in this class on December 18, paid $9 to win as the 7-2 third wagering choice. Bazinga Brad (Denis St Pierre), the 6-5 favourite, finished fifth after trying to close from the back of the field.
Jamie Copley trains Wildcat Cam and also shares ownership with Ryan Copley.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.