Public choices Neon Lights and Doctor Royal each won their respective Preferred events at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, Oct. 14 as the odds-on favourite with Neon Lights taking the $8,100 trot and Doctor Royal the $8,100 pace.
Neon Lights sat third as pacesetter Talbotcreek Suzie trotted unchallenged on the front through a :27.3 opening quarter and :57.3 half. Driver Jonathan Lachance pulled the Gerard Demers trainee first over heading to a 1:26.4 third-quarter and slid to a two-length lead entering the stretch. Flying Isa N, following second over, closed for the runner-up spot in the 1:56.3 mile while Lmc Mass Gem rode the pocket and overtook the faltering Talbotcreek Suzie for third.
A four-year-old gelding by Chapter Seven, Neon Lights competes for owner La Ferme Tag Inc. He won his 10th race in 23 starts this season and his 13th in 45 overall, earning $135,771 and paid $2.90 to win.
Doctor Royal, trained and driven by Marie Auger, made a similar first-over power move when taking the Preferred Pace in 1:54.2. The six-year-old Royal Mattjesty gelding sat fourth as Rose Run Slider posted a :27.1 opening quarter before moving first over into a :57.1 half. Doctor Royal gradually reeled in the leader as they paced to three-quarters in 1:26 and took control into the stretch. Spirit Shadow, sitting the pocket, overtook Rose Run Slider to finish second two-and-a-quarter lengths off the winner.
Owned by Auger along with 2273824146, Doctor Royal won his ninth race from 29 starts this season and his 13th from 44 overall, earning $71,234. He returned $3.30 to win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.