Robert Shepherd went on a spree Thursday (Oct. 19) evening at Rideau Carleton Raceway after he won six of the nine carded races, including the evening's feature $10,000 Preferred Handicap Trot with Black Tie Bash. Isabelle Darveau joined in the celebration with five training victories on the card.
Black Tie Bash got away last off the car in the field of five, 7-1/2 lengths off of the leading Duke Lavictoire (Pascal Berube). After the :28 first panel, Shepherd tugged on his right line and sent Black Tie Bash first over. The pair hit second on the outside at the :58.3 half and cleared the lead before the three-quarters in 1:26.2. Down the lane, the Darveau trainee opened up to a comfortable 2-1/2-length victory in 1:55.2. Crossfit (Guy Gagnon) finished second and Duke Lavictoire rounded out the top three.
Black Tie Bash ($2.40) earned his third win in a row in the feature class. The five-year-old gelded son of Chapter Seven and the Daylon Mermaid mare Kadabra boasts a record of 10-3-4 in 18 starts this season. In his career, he has posted 28 wins and $218,708 in career earnings. Shepherd owns the winner.
Shepherd and Darveau tallied four more victories together with Butterfly Kisses ($2.50) by four lengths in 1:54.3, Kinnder Motown ($18.60) by a half length in 1:58.1, Mr John ($4.50) by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:52.4, and Current Danger ($2.80) by four lengths in 1:57.3.
For his sixth trip to the winner's circle, Shepherd steered Mandy Archer trainee Thinkingofyoubabe ($9.10) to a 1:54.2 victory by a nose in the finale.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.