While the card was cut short due to deteriorating track conditions caused by weather, Rideau Carleton Raceway brought its 2023 season to a close with Guy Gagnon and Mandy Archer taking home top honours as leading driver and trainer on Sunday, Dec, 17.
Racing was complete for the night after eight of the scheduled 12 races on the card; however, the evening wasn't complete before Guy Gagnon secured a victory in the second race aboard Beach Journey to notch the leading driver's 156th victory of the meet. Gagnon's steers at Rideau Carleton have banked more than $850,000 over the course of the meet while winning at just over a 26 per cent clip aboard his 593 drives. Robert Shepherd added another win to his season tally on the night, finishing second in the driver standings with 97 victories. Pascal Berube rounded out the top three with 91 winning drives.
While trainer Mandy Archer didn't send out any to the racetrack on the closing night card, her victory was already secured in the leading trainer race for the 2023 meet. Archer conditioned 97 winners over the course of the 2023 season, banking more than a half-million in earnings over 372 starts. Guy Gagnon turned in a solid performance on the training side as well, finishing second in the standings with 75 winners, while Victor Puddy rounded out the podium with 59 training victories.
Racing will return to Rideau Carleton Raceway in 2024 with the meet slated to kick off on Sunday, March 24.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.