Sent the odds-on favourite, Big Petes Style delivered in a $6,500 conditioned pace on Sunday (Dec. 20) at Rideau Carleton Raceway to likely clinch the title of winningest horse in North America for the 2020 season.
Trainer-driver Guy Gagnon raced parked to a :27.3 opening quarter with Big Petes Style but, once on the lead, protected the top with every step. Wading a first-over challenge from 43-1 State News through middle fractions of :58.1 and 1:27.2, Gagnon let loose the eight-year-old Jeremes Jet gelding in progress to a four-and-three-quarter length victory in 1:57.1.
With the victory, Big Petes Style holds 18 wins this season from 36 tries, two victories better than sophomore Slippin The Clutch -- currently racing at The Meadowlands -- and three victories better than a multiple-horse tie for third which consists of Alberta star Major Custard and filly phenom Party Girl Hill.
In his career, Big Petes Style has collected 38 victories from 187 tries, good for $237,675. Gagnon owns the $2.10 winner through his Ecuries Guy Gagnon Inc. The win also served as one of four on the evening for Gagnon, having also steered Stelios ($25.30), Undercover Strike ($4.40) and Matts Tuition ($8.20) to victories.
LMC Mass Gem led nearly every step to take the $9,200 Preferred Trot in a 1:59.2 mile. The six-year-old Muscle Mass gelding forged to the lead past a :28.3 opening quarter to pocket Pasadena Star. He then faced first-over pressure from Sir Chopin to a :59.3 half and through three-quarters in 1:28.3, ultimately parrying the tiring foe as the backfield fanned across the track for the stretch drive. Pasadena Star remained the closest through the lane, but managed to only secure second a half length behind the winner. Cascada closed for third.
Co-owned by driver Jacques Beaudoin with Maurice Houle, Ronald Charette and Andre Beaudoin, LMC Mass Gem won his second race from 33 starts this season and his 22nd from 137 overall, earning $400,515. Johann Begin trains the $16.10 winner.
National Debt sat off a contested lead and dashed to the front late to deliver as the 6-5 choice in the $9,200 Preferred Handicap Pace.
Driver Pascal Berube landed the nine-year-old Allamerican Native stallion in fifth to a :27.3 quarter behind a three-pronged battle for the lead. Vanilla Malted raced three wide to then press pacesetter Whats In the Esky A through a :56.2 half as Stonebridge Beach angled off the pegs to catch cover. But he followed brief cover as Vanilla Malted cleared command to the backstretch.
Meanwhile Berube shifted National Debt off the pylons to race second over up the backstretch. Though with Stonebridge Beach stalled to three-quarters in 1:26, Berube pulled National Debt three wide and slid to the front off the final turn. Luke And Duke tracked his move to take second, one length behind the winner in a 1:56.4 mile, while Avatar J rallied from fourth over for third.
Owned by Francois Morin, National Debt won his 12th race from 30 starts this season and his 66th from 198 overall, earning $607,443. Yves Tessier trains the $4.10 winner.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.