Favourites failed to hit the board in both of Sunday evening’s $14,000 Preferred events at Rideau Carleton Raceway, and that was music to the ears of the connections of Stella Hall and Montreal Phil
Stella Hall survived a first-over trip en route to capturing the weekly trotting feature for the tandem of driver Denis St. Pierre and trainer Norm Brunet.
The six-year-old daughter of Angus Hall wore down race favourite Finnegan, who laid out fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:27.1. Stella Hall used a :31-second final frame to win by three-quarters of a length over Canbec Fridolin in 1:58.4. Ja El Express came on late and wound up finishing third.
The trotting mare, who is owned by Forest Ridge Stables of Ottawa, ON, won for the fifth time this season and for the 20th time in her career. She has racked up more than $65,000 in earnings in 2010. Her career bankroll sits at $175,375.
Montreal Phil was a mild upsetter in the weekly pacing feature for the team of driver Stephane Gendron and trainer Guy Corbeil. The six-year-old son of Blissfull Hall led the field through splits of :28.2, :58.3 and 1:27.3 before firing home in :28.3 and nabbing the 1:56.1 tally. Summer Bliss was best of the rest, and Imjustalittleguy rounded out the top three.
Hudson Standrdbrd Stb Inc of Hudson, QC owns the gelding who has enjoyed a bounce back campaign. After going 0-for-7 last year, the career winner of $170,199 has put together a 6-for-23 record this season.
To view Sunday’s results, click here.