It was Guy Gagnon's world at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, Oct. 20 as the horseman secured five driving and four training victories on the 10-race card, including the $10,000 Preferred Pace with The Light Speed.
Starting from the far outside post seven as the tepid 2-1 favourite, The Light Speed diverted from his usual front-stepping tactics, landing in sixth and unable to find a spot on the cones as Shotgun Jerry (Stephane Pouliot) cut the quarter in :27. The Light Speed followed the cover of Light The Torch (Pascal Berube), who was also unable to find a seat early while Shotgun Jerry slowed things down to the half in :57.2. The pace picked up when Early Action (Ryan Guy) went on the offensive first-up from third, challenging Shotgun Jerry at three-quarters in 1:24.2 while Gagnon tipped The Light Speed three-deep.
Shotgun Jerry turned for home still on top, but Early Action continued to bear down while The Light Speed moved into contention just 1-1/2 lengths back widest of all. Early Action and The Light Speed stormed by Shotgun Jerry, with The Light Speed laying down a :28.2 final quarter to beat out Early Action by a head on the line in 1:53.2. Shotgun Jerry held for the show spot.
It was career win 58 for Michel Nolette's homebred six-year-old gelded son of Moon Beam-Jayma. A winner in 13 of 27 starts on the season, The Light Speed is also trained by Gagnon and now boasts a career bankroll of $423,459.
Earlier on the card, Gagnon both trained and drove Bandura ($3.70, 2:00.1), Flash Cube ($10.70, 1:52.4) and Thedoginthefight ($8, 1:54) to victory while also hopping in the bike for trainer John MacMillan to score with D A Playersdelight ($2.50, 1:56.4).
Gagnon holds a commanding lead in the Rideau Carleton driver standings, while also sitting second behind defending leading trainer Mandy Archer in the trainer standings.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)