Trainer Matthew McDonald collected three victories on the Sunday night (Oct. 16) card at Rideau Carleton Raceway with the hat trick capped from a win by Sea Laird in the featured $10,500 Preferred Handicap Pace.
Driver Clarke Steacy circled Sea Laird to the lead after a :26.2 first quarter to pocket D Gs De Vito passing the stands first time. Steacy kept the six-year-old Custard The Dragon gelding rolling through a :54.1 half and to three-quarters in 1:22 to then turn for home having successfully bottomed the field. Sea Laird crossed the finish in 1:51 to beat D Gs De Vito by 2-3/4 lengths with Blue Moose and Thrilling Times finishing third in a dead heat.
Sea Laird competes for owners Stacey Smith Robinson and Kirk Robillard. He won his 21st race from 114 starts, has now earned $174,580 and paid $15.50 to win.
McDonald's first victory of the night came with a late-closing Flash Tothe Finish (1:52.3 winning mile, $5.20 to win) in the evening's second race. He then returned to the winner's circle a few races later with a win by pocket-popping No Time At All (1:52.2, $35.90).
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.