Despite being parked the mile from the outside post, All Wrapped Up got up in time to deliver his fourth straight victory in the $10,000 Preferred Handicap Trot at Rideau Carleton Raceway for trainer/driver Guy Gagnon on Thursday, Nov. 14.
All Wrapped Up only had the trailing tier starter beat while racing on the outside through an opening quarter that went in :27.1, but the favourite progressed on cover through a half in :58.3 and three-quarters in 1:27.3 before Gagnon sent him three-wide through the final turn. All Wrapped Up was kept wide as the pocket-popping Meadowbranch Noble (Steeven Genois) got the jump on him and overtook the pacesetting Duke Lavictoire (Marie-Claude Auger) at the top of the stretch. But All Wrapped Up kept on coming down the lane and collared Meadowbranch Noble as the wire approached for the half-length victory in 1:57 flat. More than four lengths behind, Ripped And Ready (Jimmy Gagnon) nabbed the third-place honours over Duke Lavictoire.
After winning three consecutive Preferreds in October, All Wrapped Up returned to action from a three-week layoff and was sent postward as the 3-5 favourite, returning $3.20 to win.
All Wrapped Up was claimed for $50,000 on Sept. 2 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and has earned half of that sum back already by winning five of his six starts in Rideau's Preferred class for Gagnon and owners Sylvain Cote of Joliette, Que., and Michel Lagace of Terrebonne, Que. Those wins have pushed him into double digits for the season as the trotter now boasts a career-high 10 victories in his eight-year-old campaign.
Lifetime, the Archangel-Jukebox Jackie gelding has won a total of 37 races while earning $637,158.
All Wrapped Up was the first of three driving wins on the 11-race card for Gagnon.
Rideau Carleton Raceway made a special presentation to trainer John MacMillan on Thursday evening, recognizing a personal achievement for the longtime horseman. Track officials congratulated MacMillan on earning his 1,800th career win when Hes Got A Vendetta prevailed in the fifth race with Marie-Claude Auger driving.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)