After a ground-saving trip, driver Jacques Beaudoin sent Rocky Boy four-wide down the stretch to sweep past their rivals for the victory in this week's $6,950 Winners Over Handicap Trot featured on Sunday night at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Heres The Magic cleared Out Of The Hat at the :27.2 first quarter mark and then led the field past the half in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:28. Meanwhile, Will To Do advanced first over to challenge the leader with Michelangelo following his cover. Rocky Boy followed along fifth inside and then Beaudoin moved him third over at the third quarter mark. The outer tier of horses began to fan across the track as they turned for home, with Rocky Boy the widest and the fastest to score the victory in 1:59.3 by half a length. Michelangelo edged out Heres The Magic and Will To Do for the runner-up honours.
Rocky Boy has now won two of his last three starts in Rideau's top trotting class for trainer Johanne Begin. The six-year-old Rocky Balboa gelding is owned by Marc Belanger and Stephane Beaudoin of Trois-Rivieres, Que.
Sent postward at odds of 9-1, Rocky Boy paid $20 to win. Meanwhile, even-money favourite Unabating was interfered with outside the misbehaving Creampuff Macdaddy behind the gate and then made a break in stride himself from the back of the pack mid-mile taking himself out of contention.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.