Guy Gagnon surpassed the $30 million mark in career earnings as a driver during the card of harness racing on Thursday, Oct. 24 at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
One of the perennial leaders at the Ottawa area oval, Gagnon came into Thursday's card just shy of the money milestone and surpassed the earnings mark with a second-place finish in the third race courtesy GA Speed matrix.
While he didn't prevail for that milestone tally, Gagnon did score himself a hat trick of victories on the 10-race card including an impressive come-from-behind victory with All Wrapped Up ($3.80) in the $10,000 Preferred Handicap Trot.
Gagnon settled the 4-5 shot in sixth and last through the first half of the mile as Warrawee Xalt powered through panels of :27.2 and :57.1 for driver Ryan Guy. Gagnon commenced a first-over bid down the backside, advancing to fourth as Warrawee Xalt reached the third station in 1:25.4. Gagnon hit the afterburners around the final bend, and All Wrapped Up sprinted by the pacesetter once the field reached the stretch. Winning for the third time in the Rideau top class, All Wrapped Up was a wrapped-up winner by nearly two lengths in 1:55.3 over Black Tie Bash (Robert Shepherd) with Warrawee Xalt staying for show.
Eight-year-old All Wrapped Up (Archangel - Jukebox Jackie) is trained by Gagnon for owners Sylvain Cote of Joliette and Michel Lagace of Terrebonne, Que. With his ninth win of the season, All Wrapped Up sports 36 lifetime victories with more than $630,000 in career earnings.
The track's leading reinsman extended his lead in the local drivers' standings, winning two of those races for the track's leading trainer, Mandy Archer. Holding a 84-75 lead over Gagnon heading into Thursday's card, Archer achieved her stable's 85th, 86th and 87th visit to track photographer Bente Nielsen this season by virtue of victories with Shreddar (1:55.2; $10.10) in the first courtesy Robert Shepherd, Bet Nineteen (1:55.4; $4.20) in the sixth) and D A Magic Mike (1:55.3; $2.30) in the finale.
For the results from Saturday's card of harness racing in the nation's capital, click the following link: Thursday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)