Once lifted off cover, Reys N A Rocket ripped clear of his competition to score an open-length victory in the $33,200 Brian Jerome Memorial Fall Claiming Series Final on Sunday (Nov. 1) at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Reys N A Rocket raced sixth to a :28.1 quarter set by Mister Godro, who gave way to pocket-popper Darcee N past a :58.2 half, where Mach Messier then pounced for the lead as Alwaysyourway raced first over tracked by Reys N A Rocket second over and Zen Da Ballykeel third over. By three-quarters in 1:27.3, Alwaysyourway began to backtrack while driver Richard Simard spun Reys N A Rocket off the helmet and rushed to the lead. Opening three lengths on his rivals into the stretch, Reys N A Rocket continued to widen his margin, hitting the finish of a 1:56.1 mile six-and-three-quarter lengths clear of Mach Messier in second and Zen Da Ballykeel in third.
A six-year-old mare by Mattarocket, Reys N A Rocket won her sixth race from 20 starts this season and her 30th from 119 overall, earning $182,715. Robert Bernicky trains and owns the $3.00 winner.
Sin City Shark slid out of the pocket to score in the $15,000 Brian Jerome Memorial Fall Claiming Series Consolation with a 1:55.2 mile. With Too Much Duncan cutting an uncontested clip of :27.4, :57.3 and 1:25.4, Sin City Shark lunged on the pacesetter straightening for the finish and edged to a one-length victory with Bet Till Dawn giving chase in third, another three lengths behind.
Owned by Limco Inc., Sin City Shark won his second race from 21 starts this season and his 16th from 150 overall, earning $137,440. Victor Puddy trains the seven-year-old Cams Card Shark gelding who paid $20.30 to win while Richard Simard sat in the sulky.
National Debt dashed to a 1:54.4 victory in the $9,200 Preferred Pace. The nine-year-old Allamerican Native stallion cleared control past a :27.3 first quarter, slowed to a :56.3 half, rebuffed a first-over challenge from Avatar J by three-quarters in 1:26 and coasted to a one-and-a-quarter length win over pocket-sitter Vegas Rocks. Vanilla Malted vaulted from last for third.
Owned by Francois Morin, National Debt won his ninth race from 23 starts this season and his 63rd from 191 overall, earning $587,479. Pascal Berube drove the $3.20 winner for trainer Yves Tessier.
Lestenpercent landed back in the winner’s circle of the $9,200 Preferred Trot. Away fourth to a :28 first quarter set by LMC Mass Gem, Lestenpercent popped off the pylons and marched towards the pacesetter approaching a :58.3 half. Drawing to equal terms past three-quarters in 1:27.2, the five-year-old Justice Hall gelding surged to the lead and strolled to a one-and-a-half length victory in 1:57.4 over Seeyou Men. LMC Mass Gem faded to third.
Trained by owner Paul Laframboise, Lestenpercent won his 11th race from 20 starts this season and his 19th from 70 overall, earning $94,469. Rodney La Framboise drove the $3.40 winner.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.