Four-year-old pacer Ok Ebury stole the spotlight on Sunday evening at Rideau Carleton Raceway winning the featured $6,400 Winners Over Handicap Pace in front-stepping fashion for driver Stephane Pouliot and owner/trainer Luc Loyer.
Leaving from post two, Ok Ebury retook the lead over favourite D Gs Woodstock (Denis St. Pierre) past the :27.1 first quarter mark. Once in control, he raced by the half in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:26.1 with Draconian (Gord Brown) looming first over before that rival eventually faded to seventh in the stretch. Ok Ebury then held off the closing Woodrock Nation (Kyle Forgie) for the three-quarter length victory in 1:56 flat over the 'good' surface. Keyed Entry (Truman Gale) came from last to show, one length behind.
Ok Ebury returned $15.40 for the mild 6-1 upset. The win was the Modern Art ridgling's third this year and eighth all-time, pushing his bankroll to $109,398.
In other racing action, sophomore pacing gelding Brother John kept his Rideau record perfect for owner/trainer Gary McDonald. Driven by Gord Brown, the son of Stonebridge Regal earned his sixth win in a row since shipping to the Ottawa oval in November. His Sunday score was his second fastest, clocked in 1:57.2.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.