Driver Guy Gagnon hit a major milestone on Sunday, Oct. 15 at Rideau Carleton Raceway, securing his 6,000th career driving victory aboard Western Phil on the 10-race card.
Starting from post four in the $8,500-$12,000 claiming pace, Gagnon was intent on the lead from the outset, clearing to the front with Western Phil leading to the opening quarter by three lengths in a speedy :27.2. Gagnon tapped the brakes in the second quarter, backing things down on the front to the half in :56.4. Gagnon hit the accelerator in the third quarter, unleashing a :27.4 third quarter to give Western Phil a five-length jump on the field at three-quarters in 1:24.3.
Western Phil began to feel the hot early fractions as he turned for home with a host of competitors in hot pursuit and his lead down to three. Under Gagnon urging, Western Phil dug in to fend off Uber Hanover by a half-length on the wire to secure the victory in 1:55.3.
In a career spanning 35 years, the victory was the 6,000th career driving victory for Gagnon, who has been a model of consistency as both a trainer and a driver in Canada.
Gagnon also does the training on Western Phil, who secured his 10th victory of 2023 in his 25th seasonal outing. The nine-year-old gelded son of Sportswriter-Matter Of Style owns 32 career victories and has banked $207,570 in his career for owner Pascal Fleury.
Jimmy Gagnon scored the victory in the $10,000 Preferred Handicap Pace on the card, steering Dylans Bank to the winner's circle in front-end fashion at 17-1.
Dylans Bank unleashed a :26.1 opening quarter from post three to secure the front end, keeping The Light Speed and Guy Gagnon parked in the opening stage. As The Light Speed retreated to third, Dylans Bank remained relentless on the lead, taking the field of six to the halfway point in a blistering :53.4. Dylans Bank built a four-length advantage over his nearest competitor, Aladdin and Staphane Brosseau, who chased in second through three-quarters in 1:21.3.
Aladdin rallied within a length of Dylans Bank as the top two turned for home. Dylans Bank was dead-game on the lead, holding Aladdin at bay by a neck on the wire as he secured the victory in 1:51.1. Jet Rock and Robert Shepherd rallied from the backfield despite broken equipment to finish third.
Dylans Bank paid $37.80 to his backers at the windows with the upset victory.
The win was the ninth of a 32-race 2023 campaign for Dylans Bank, who is trained and owned by John MacMillan. The six-year-old gelded son of Thinking Out Loud-Sexnvetts owns 35 career victories to go along with $183,686 in lifetime earnings.
To view Sunday's harness tacing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.