Yves Tessier collected three training victories on the Sunday, March 10 card at Rideau Carleton, one of which came when National Debt kicked off cover to win the $8,100 Preferred Handicap Pace as the odds-on favourite in 1:56.
National Debt sat last as Stonebridge Beach led early, challenged by Doctor Royal heading to a :27.4 opening quarter. Doctor Royal soon cleared the lead leaving Mach Impact, parked from the start, first over heading to the half. National Debt tipped off the rail to catch the advancing cover into a :58.2 half.
Mach Impact came a neck within the lead as the tempo quickened to a 1:26.3 third quarter. However the first-over challenger began to retreat into the final turn and forced National Debt to fan three wide for the stretch drive. Doctor Royal lost the lead in the lane to Stonebridge Beach rallying out of the pocket but they all were outsprinted by National Debt at the finish.
Owned by Francois Morin, National Debt, an eight-year-old son of Allamerican Native, won his 41st race from 137 starts, earning $453,305. Pascal Berube drove the $2.60 winner.
Tessier's other two victories came earlier in the card. E R Rhonda ($3.40) took a $6,000 conditioned pace by five lengths in 1:56.2 and Talbotcreek Suzie ($4.60) won a $6,500 conditioned trot by four lengths in a 1:58 wire-to-wire mile. Pascal Berube drove both winners for Tessier.
Berube also steered Slip Into Glide to a two-and-a-quarter length victory in the $8,100 Preferred Trot.
The 11-year-old Yankee Glide gelding sat fourth as Lmc Mass Gem cleared command past a :28.2 opening quarter. Still sitting at the rail past a 1:00.2 half, Berube soon edged first over moving to the backstretch and drew closer to the leader passing a 1:29 third quarter. Slip Into Glide slid to the lead into the lane and extended his advantage heading to a 1:58.1 win. Lmc Mass Gem geld second while pocket-sitter Pasadena Star took third.
Winning his 40th race from 187 starts, Slip Into Glide has now earned $712,043. David Robson trains the $18.50 winner for owner Courtney Robson.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.