Trainer Victor Puddy couldn't be stopped on Sunday, Dec. 10 at Rideau Carleton Raceway, winning five, including sweeping both Preferreds on the 12-race card.
Puddy teamed up with driver Guy Gagnon to sweep the early double, taking the first with Sky Low Low before coming back with Crossfit (pictured above) in the co-featured $10,000 Preferred Handicap Trot, which went as the evening's second race.
Gagnon settled 3-5 favourite Crossfit into fourth in the field of six off the gate as Duke Lavictoire and Pascal Berube cut the opening quarter in :28.2. Duke Lavictoire led to the second quarter under pressure from Stella Alpha and William Roy, who never saw the pylons to the halfway point in :58.3.
Stella Alpha began to fade while Duke Lavictoire looked to put distance between himself and the field on the way to the three-quarter pole, reaching that station two lengths clear in 1:28.4 while Crossfit was ready to pounce from third.
On the final turn, Crossfit tipped from third to quickly reach the leader's wheel at the top of the stretch. Crossfit surged to the lead in the stretch, putting Duke Lavictoire away before facing a final challenge from Stormont Molly and Ryan Guy, who followed his cover. Crossfit dug in gamely with a :29.1 final quarter to hold Stormont Molly at bay by a length in 1:58.3 over the 'good' track. Raising Rusty and Stephane Pouliot rallied up the rail for third.
The victory was the 10th in 38 seasonal outings for the seven-year-old gelded son of Donato Hanover-Muscle Test. Owned by Gordan McDonald and Christopher Boland, Crossfit has now banked $355,103 for his career.
Gagnon steered two more Puddy trainees to victory on the card, scoring with Getourlicenseliam and Officer Jones to complete his grand slam on the evening.
Pascal Berube hopped in the bike for Puddy aboard Lovemyrockinbird to take the $10,000 Preferred Pace. Leaving from post two in the field of eight, Berube landed Lovemyrockinbird in the third spot in the early stages while Shotgun Jerry and Stephane Pouliot led to the quarter pole in :27.3 under fire from Vanilla Malted and William Roy. Vanilla Malted took command just beyond the quarter and had things his way to the half, tapping the brakes on the lead in :57.
Berube remained patient until the field reached the backstretch, sending Lovemyrockinbird on his way first-up and within a half-length of the leader at three-quarters in 1:26. The momentum carried Lovemyrockinbird to the lead on the far turn, turning for home with a length advantage on the field. Shotgun Jerry took his shot up the passing lane, but Lovemyrockinbird was not to be caught on the lead, getting home with a :29.4 final quarter to take the victory by a length and a half in 1:55.4. Shotgun Jerry claimed second, with Vanilla Malted holding for third.
Lovemyrockinbird sports nine victories in 41 tries in 2023, banking $66,570 this season. Owned by Limco Inc., the six-year-old gelded son of Mystery Chase-Kill A Rockingbird pushed his career bankroll to $241,033.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.