The Light Speed put his toughness on display once again, stubbornly grinding first-over en route to his second consecutive victory in Rideau Carleton Raceway's $10,000 Preferred Handicap Pace on Sunday, Oct. 27.
Sent off as the 1-9 favourite, driver Guy Gagnon settled The Light Speed away fifth off the gate while Acapulco Sunburn (Robert Shepherd) battled to the inside of Early Action (Ryan Guy) to lead to the quarter in :27.1. Early Action pressed on to the lead to the half in :55.4 when The Light Speed tipped off the pylons to begin his charge. Under Gagnon urging, The Light Speed ranged up alongside Early Action on the backstretch, grabbing a narrow lead at three-quarters in 1:24.
The leaders continued to battle nose-to-nose around the final turn, before The Light Speed grabbed a clear advantage at the top of the lane and put away Early Action. Pacing home in :28.4, The Light Speed surged clear by 1-1/4 lengths on the line to stop the clock in 1:52.4. Acapulco Sunburn skimmed the cones to get second and Shotgun Jerry (Stephane Pouliot) rallied for third.
Gagnon also trains The Light Speed, who has won half of his 28 outings in 2024, banking $99,405 on the season. Owned and bred by Michel Nolette, the six-year-old gelded son of Moon Beam-Jayma earned his 59th career victory and now sports earnings of $428,459 lifetime.
The win was one of three driving victories for Gagnon to lead all drivers on the card, and one of two training victories which was matched by trainer Victor Puddy.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)