Jet Rock prevailed in what proved to be an eventful mile in the Sunday, Nov. 19 feature at Rideau Carleton Raceway, scoring from off the pace in the $10,000 Preferred Handicap Pace, which highlighted the 10-race card.
Assigned post seven in the field of eight, driver Robert Shepherd opted to take back to sixth with the 3-2 favourite as a revved up Dylans Bank and Jimmy Gagnon led to the opening quarter in :27. The field respected the early speed to the halfway point with Dylans Bank taking the field to that station unchallenged in a sizzling :54.3. Pressure came to Dylans Bank in the third quarter as The Light Speed and Guy Gagnon surged first-over to engage the leader at three-quarters in 1:23.3 while Jet Rock stalked from third-over.
The complexion of the race changed on the far turn as The Light Speed hooked wheels with Dylans Bank midway through the turn while battling for the lead, removing themselves from contention as the field turned for home. Vanilla Malted and William Roy inherited the lead at the top of the stretch with Jet Rock in hot pursuit. Jet Rock lunged late with a :29.2 final quarter to track down the upset-minded Vanilla Malted and take the victory by a length in 1:54. Shotgun Jerry and Stephane Pouliot rallied for the third spot.
Trained by Isabelle Darveau, Jet Rock notched his seventh victory through 40 seasonal efforts, and 34th career victory. Hitting the board 20 times this season, the seven-year-old gelded son of Rocknroll Heaven-Jet Wash has banked $349,255 in his career for owners Ecurie Csl and Les Ecuries Dorleans Inc.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.