Trainer Mandy Archer claimed the top two spots in the $9,200 Preferred Handicap Pace at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday (Oct. 4)—a night where she won three races on the 10-race card.
In the Pace, Vegas Rocks led the field by the quarter in :27 while stablemate Avatar J rolled first over towards the lead. Avatar J took over command before a :54.3 half and gave Vegas Rocks a helmet to track to three-quarters in 1:22.4 before driver Stephane Brosseau made his move. Vegas Rocks veered out of the pocket for the stretch drive and edged away from Avatar J, finishing a half length in front in a 1:51.4 mile with 6-5 favourite National Debt another four lengths behind in third.
Trained by Archer for owners Rachel Archer, Dean Larking and Jody Sanderson, Vegas Rocks won his fourth race from 13 starts this season and his 33rd from 145 overall, earning $387,726. The eight-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding paid $6.80 to win.
Archer’s other wins came earlier on the card. She took the opener with Machaholic ($2.40), who went wire to wire in a $5,600 pace in 1:55.1, and won again a few races later with Western Phil ($5.40), who wired his competition in a $6,500 claiming pace in 1:54.4.
Lestenpercent returned to the Rideau winner’s circle in the $9,200 Preferred Handicap Trot, rallying from off the speed to win by a length in 1:57.2.
LMC Mass Gem moved for the lead while Cascada secured the pocket. Lestenpercent raced fifth to a :28 first quarter but caught cover to race third over by a :59.1 half. Ace Bi, who raced parked from the start, led the two-wide charge into the backside after LMC Mass Gem moving to three-quarters in 1:28.1 and drew to closer terms with the leader. Into the final turn driver Rodney La Framboise launched Lestenpercent three wide and swooped towards the dueling leaders circling for the finish. Ace Bi gave chase to hold second while pocket-sitter Cascada took third.
A five-year-old gelding by Justice Hall, Lestenpercent won his eighth race from 16 starts this season and his 16th from 66 overall, earning $80,669. Paul Laframboise owns and trains the $4.60 winner.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.