Sleek Hunter used last second heroics to take home top prize in Thursday’s $13,000 Preferred Pace at Rideau Carleton Raceway, and that was music to the ears of the bettors that sent the gelding off as the 1-9 favourite
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The five-year-old son of Four Starzzz Shark-Beverage got away fourth in the six-horse affair, and from his four-hole perch he and driver Simon Allard watched Sunset Art sprint to the quarter pole in a :28-second clip. Sunset Art went on to chop out middle splits of :58.3 and 1:27.3, but he couldn’t take it to the house. Sleek Hunter summoned up a :28.1 final frame, and that was good enough to earn him the half-length score over Onyx V A in 1:56.3. Told On You tagged along to finish third.
Trained Rene Allard co-owns the 10-time winner with Gest Millenium 2000 Inc of Trois-Rivieres and Jean Guy Bruneau of Montebello, QC. It was the third consecutive tally for the trotter, who increased his career bankroll to $170,619 with the win.
The victory with Sleek Hunter was one of three on the 15-race card for trainer Rene Allard, and it was one of the four trips to victory lane for driver Simon Allard. Guy Gagnon also sat behind four winners on Thursday’s program.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Rideau Carleton Raceway.