Trainer-driver Guy Gagnon, fresh off a six-win evening on opening night at Rideau Carleton Raceway, came back to the track on Sunday (Feb. 21) to score another five wins, one of which came in the featured $9,200 Preferred Pace.
Gagnon piloted his pupil Luke And Duke to a wire-to-wire victory in the Preferred Handicap Pace. The nine-year-old Mach Three gelding grabbed the lead from post 6 and faced minimal pressure through the mile. Left alone through fractions of :27.3, :58 and 1:26, the 3-5 favourite cruised to the finish one-and-a-quarter lengths better than pocket-sitter Racemup at the end of the 1:54.3 mile. Officer Jones finished third and National Debt closed for fourth.
Owned by Ecuries Guy Gagnon Inc. and Jean Larcohe, Luke And Duke won his 29th race from 164 starts, earning $181,775. He paid $3.20 to win.
Alongside the victory with Luke And Duke, Gagnon steered his trainees Undercover Strike ($4.60), Wildwild Men ($4.10), Thats Some Plan ($5.00) and Matts Tuition ($6.90) to wins on the card.
Earlier in the card, the co-featured $9,200 finished as a no contest due to an accident off the first turn. Sir Chopin, leading the field past the :28.1 first quarter, hooked wheels with Seeyou Men into the stretch while LMC Mass Gem dove into the passing lane. The hooked pair backed through the field and into Its Huw You Know, causing the horse to stumble and unseat trainer-driver Michael Healey. Healey was reported okay according to track announcer John MacMillan, but was transported to hospital for further observation.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.