Driver Marie Claude Auger claimed the top spot in both featured events at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday (Dec. 13)—among them a 10-1 upset in a photo finish behind Racemup in the $9,200 Preferred Pace.
Getting away in the pocket, Racemup stalked pacesetter Avatar J through fractions of :27.3 and :57. By the half, Luke And Duke angled out of fourth to advance towards the leader, but Avatar J promptly accelerated into the backside to hit three-quarters in 1:24.4. Luke And Duke began to close in on Avatar J off the final turn while Racemup waited for the open stretch. Once given clearance, Racemup rallied to the lead and slid a head in front to the finish of a 1:54 mile with Luke And Duke taking second and Avatar J settling for third.
Paying $23.50 to win, Racemup won his sixth trace from 32 starts this season and his 22nd from 90 overall, earning $220,479. Victor Puddy trains the five-year-old gelding by Whatayasay for owners Gordon Mc Donald and Christopher Boland.
Earlier in the card, Auger caught the drive on Lestenpercent and placed the Paul Laframboise trainee in a striking spot to score in the $9,200 Preferred Trot.
LMC Mass Gem led the field to the quarter in :28.1 while Crossfit raced parked and eventually cleared the front passing the stands. Pasadena Star then flushed first over approaching a :58.4 half, at which point Auger angled Lestenpercent out of eighth to race third over into the backstretch.
Crossfit gave way up the backstretch to Pasadena Star, leaving Lestenpercent second over tracking Hat Trick Marleau’s cover to three-quarters in 1:28.1. With the front’s legs growing weary, Lestenpercent launched off cover into the stretch and surged past late-leader Hat Trick Marleau to win by a length in 1:58.2 as the 6-5 favourite. Cascada closed from last for third.
A five-year-old gelding by Justice Hall, Lestenpercent won his 13th race from 26 starts this season and his 21st from 76 overall, earning $105,969. Paul Laframboise owns the $4.60 winner.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.