Lunging uncovered, Maracasso strolled to a 1:55 victory in the $8,600 Preferred Handicap Pace at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, Oct. 27.
Maracasso sat sixth, eight lengths behind pacesetter Chaleurs Ad moving to a :26.3 first quarter. Chaleurs Ad slowed the tempo moving to the second turn while driver Jonathan Lachance angled Maracasso first over and surged to within a length of the lead nearing a :57.2 half. Maracasso continued to dig into Chaleurs Ad—sticking a nose in front past three-quarters in 1:25.4—and kicked clear through the stretch to win by two-and-a-half lengths. Stonebridge Beach, tracking the winner’s cover, took third.
A seven-year-old gelding by Lis Mara, Maracasso won his 10th race from 24 starts this season and his 19th from 95 overall, earning $84,028. Sylvain Tremblay trains the $15.40 winner for owner Ecurie Alpha.
Lmc Mass Gem converted a pocket ride to a two-length victory in a 1:59.1 mile when winning the $8,600 Preferred Handicap Trot earlier in the card.
Sent the co-favourite at 2-1, Lmc Mass Gem let Revenue Agent clear to a :27.4 first quarter. Batting Stats tipped first over from third to contest the leader with Stormont Royalty second over moving to a :59.1 half. Past three-quarters in 1:28.3, Batting Stats began to falter while Lmc Mass Gem waited for room to vacate pocket, eventually getting an opening in the stretch. The five-year-old Muscle Mass gelding kicked away from his competition to win with Stormont Royalty rallying off cover for second and Revenue Agent fading to third.
Owned by driver Jacques Beaudoin, Maurice Houle, Ronald Charette and Andre Beaudoin, Lmc Mass Gem won his fourth race in 34 starts this season and his 28th in 95 overall, earning $341,770. He paid $6.20 to win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.