Pylon-rider Stella Alpha zoomed into contention in the stretch and snatched victory from a game Seeyou Men to win the $10,500 Preferred Handicap Trot on closing night at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday (Dec. 18).
Seeyou Men grabbed command past a :28.1 first quarter and soon endured first-over pressure from favourite Crossfit into a :58.2 half. All the while Stella Alpha raced third along the pylons as Seeyou Men and Crossfit traded noses to three-quarters in 1:27.1. Off the turn, Seeyou Men surged to a length lead and held his ground through the stretch, though he could not withstand the late charge from Stella Alpha in the final strides. The three-year-old Royalty For Life filly landed a neck on Seeyou Men at the end of a 1:57.1 mile while Crossfit settled for third and Duke Lavictoire, off a pocket trip, took fourth.
Sylvain Tremblay trains Stella Alpha for owner-breeder Ecurie Alpha. The filly won her 15th race from 36 starts and has now earned $92,677. Pascal Berube drove the $15.90 winner.
Guy Gagnon wrapped another dominant season at Rideau Carleton Raceway to again take the honour of the meet’s leading driver. Gagnon finished the year with 179 wins and more than $1 million in purses. Pascal Berube was the only other driver to break the century mark on the year with 103 victories, padded by a four-win night on Sunday. Samuel Fillion, in his first million-dollar season, finished third with 95 wins.
And though Mandy Archer went winless on the Sunday card, her commanding lead secured her the honour of leading trainer with 96 victories through the meet. Guy Gagnon just held second with 74 wins, while his closest rival Victor Puddy finished third with 72 victories.
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Rideau Carleton Raceway.