The Light Speed and Guy Gagnon prevailed in the $10,000 Preferred Handicap Pace, which highlighted the 11-race Rideau card on Sunday, Oct. 29.
Saddled with the outside post five, Gagnon opted to take back to fourth in the early stages as Jimmy Gagnon and Dylans Bank set the tone up front with a quick :26.3 opening quarter. Dylans Bank had things his way to the halfway point as he continued to lead to that station by two in :54.2. The Light Speed was ill-content to wait any longer, leading the charge first over and moving into second as Dylans Bank continued to lay down hot fractions, reaching three-quarters in 1:22.2.
The Light Speed continued to close ground on the turn, reaching the leader's neck as the pacers turned for home. The Light Speed gutted out a :29 final quarter to fend off a hard-charging Jet Rock and Robert Shepherd by a neck in 1:51.4. Dylans Bank held tough for third. The Light Speed returned $3.90 as the favourite.
The victory was the second consecutive and 15th of the season for The Light Speed, who has hit the board in 23 of 25 starts in 2023. Trained by Gagnon for owner Michel Nolette, the five-year-old gelded son of Moon Beam-Jayma pushed his earnings to $106,675 for 2023 and now sports a career bankroll of $316,554.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.