The Light Speed chalked up another $10,000 Preferred Handicap Pace victory at Rideau Carleton Raceway with a pillar-to-post performance over a snowy surface to highlight a Guy Gagnon training triple on Sunday, Nov. 23.
Gagnon, at the lines of his trainee, took the consistent gelding to the top early and kept him off the pylons for much of the first half, racing on a clear lead in the two-path through :27.3 and :57.4 fractions before moving to the inside. Co-favourite Hp Lis Shadow (Robert Shepherd) went first-over into the flurries nearing the midway point and raced just off the leader’s wheel to three-quarters in 1:26.1, sticking with him around the final turn. The game Hp Lis Shadow fought forward in the stretch but could not catch The Light Speed, who reached the line a half-length in front in 1:55.1. Bets Show Off (Stephane Pouliot) finished third.
The Light Speed has won the Rideau Preferred 12 times this year and is 14-for-32 overall. He has hit the board in every start since May for owner-breeder Michel Nolette of Princeville, Que. The seven-year-old son of Moon Beam-Jayma now has 74 career victories and $541,189 in bankroll in 165 starts. He paid $4 to win.
The winner was one of three on the 11-race card from the Gagnon barn. Gagnon closed out the card by winning the 10th race with Troublewiththecurv ($2.30), who is two-for-two since entering the conditioner's shedrow earlier this month, and the finale with Beach Journey ($4). He has racked up 93 training wins this season in 282 starts — a 33 per cent win rate — and is seven tallies off his personal best total for a year.
Live harness racing at Rideau will resume this week with a Thursday, Nov. 27 program, with a special post time of 4 p.m. Three more Sunday cards will follow to complete the remainder of the 2025 meet.
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)