Raising Richard ($8.40, Rheo Filion) and Kyles Secret ($10.80, Guy Gagnon) shared top billing on Sunday night (November 6) at Rideau Carleton Raceway with victories in the co-featured Winners Over Handicap events.
Raising Richard, the 3-1 second choice in $6,650 top trotting class, moved second-over from fourth approaching the third quarter mark and rallied home in :29.4 to score the victory in 1:58 for Filion and trainer Ed McHale. What A Rush closed inside and edged out race leader Maximus Deo (:27.3, :57.3, 1:27) for second-place, finishing just a half-length behind the winner. Unabating joined the fray outside in the four-across finish.
The four-year-old Deweycheatumnhowe gelding earned his 14th win of the year for owners John MacMillan and 2099551 Ontario Inc. Amidst the winner's circle celebrations, Rideau Carleton honoured Filion for earning his 2,500th career driving victory in the race.
Handicapped outside her seven male rivals in the $6,800 pacing co-feature, Kyles Secret trailed early on before rallying widest of all in a :28.1 final quarter to win by one and a quarter lengths in 1:54.1 for the driving and training duo of Guy Gagnon and Gerard Demers. Solid Performance came in second over Bali and Meersburg. Favourite Highland Tartan finished fifth after forging three-wide past the :27 first quarter mark and leading through middle panels of :55.2 and 1:24.3.
The five-year-old daughter of Secrets Nephew is now a 13-time winner this year for owner La Ferme Tag Inc.
Meanwhile, Jamie Copley enjoyed a training triple on the Sunday night harness racing card, scoring wins with Olivias Way ($3.30, Louis-Philippe Roy), Skyway Boomer ($4.20, Guy Gagnon), and Adamncam ($28.70, Richard Simard).
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.