Driver Guy Gagnon grabbed command with Crossfit and kept control to the finish of a 1:57.1 mile to win the $9,200 Preferred Handicap Trot, which served as one of five victories for the reinsman on the Sunday (Nov. 29) card at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Parked to a :28.2 opening quarter, Crossfit cleared LMC Mass Gem passing the stands first time and edged to a two-length lead while Lestenpercent raced uncovered and stalled towards a :58.3 half. Crossfit continued unchallenged to three-quarters in 1:27.3 and held firm through the stretch to win by one-and-a-half lengths. LMC Mass Gem, through a disqualification, took second while Cascada, also elevated, took third. Hat Trick Marleau, who finished second, was placed fourth.
A four-year-old gelding by Donato Hanover, Crossfit won his seventh race from 20 starts this season and his 12th from 48 overall, earning $147,520. Victor Puddy trains the $2.80 winner for owners Gordon Mc Donald and Christopher Boland. The victory was the third on the night for Gagnon, who earlier scored wins with Osiris Blue Chip ($3.30) and Senior K ($2.90) and then scored victories later with Stelios ($5.70) and Outlaw Turn N Burn ($3.60).
National Debt dashed late in the stretch to collect his second-consecutive victory in the $9,200 Preferred Pace. The nine-year-old Allamerican Native stallion raced fourth to a :28.3 opening quarter before driver Pascal Berube edged the Yves Tessier trainee first over into a :57.4 half. Making gains on pacesetter Vegas Rocks to three-quarters in 1:25.3, National Debt stalled rounding the final turn but livened in the straightaway as he darted by Vegas Rocks and held off second-over closer Racemup by a head in a 1:54.3 mile.
Owned by Francois Morin, National Debt won his 11th race from 27 starts this season and his 65th from 195 overall, earning $600,083. He paid $2.70 to win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.