A pair of longshots landed in the winner’s circle of the featured $10,500 Preferreds at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday (March 13) with Lovemyrockinbird winning the Pace at 9-1 and Gloire Dream taking the Trot at 16-1.
Lovemyrockinbird led at every pole of the Preferred Pace. Driver Marie-Claude Auger cleared command with the five-year-old Mystery Chase gelding to a :27.1 first quarter, slowed the tempo to a :57.4 half and endured first-over pressure from National Debt to three-quarters in 1:25.3. National Debt stalled in his challenge to the pacesetter off the final turn, leaving Lovemyrockinbird to coast to a 1:53.4 win by a half length over pocket-popper Major Hill with National Debt third and Outkast Blue Chip fourth.
Owned by Limco Inc., Lovemyrockinbird won his third race from nine starts this season and his ninth from 45 overall, good for $109,644 in career purses. The $20.10 winner was one of three wins for trainer Victor Puddy, who also collected wins with Levis Day ($3.50) and Shadow Margeaux ($12.60).
Gloire Dream drafted a pocket ride to score a 1:57.4 win in the Preferred Trot. The 11-year-old In Dix Huit gelding stalked tempo-setter Crossfit as he carved splits of :28.2, :59.1 and 1:28.2 on the point. Raising Rusty mounted a first-over blitz out of fifth up the backside to draw to Crossfit’s side to three-quarters but flattened around the final turn, leaving Crossfit with one threat to fend off in the straightaway. Driver Sam Fillion fired Gloire Dream after the lead from the pocket and seized the front late to pass the beam a half-length better than Crossfit while Cheque The Magic finished another three lengths behind in third and Raising Rusty took fourth.
Co-owned by trainer Yannick Martel with Ecurie Richard Moreau Inc., Gloire Dream won his 26th race from 159 starts, lifting his earnings to $339,747. He paid $34.30 to win.
Conditioner Mandy Archer led all trainers on the evening with four wins on the 15-race card, scoring with Sauble Delightful ($2.40), Justa Bandit ($3.40), Rollin With Rock ($3.20) and Wisk Key K ($2.30).
To view Sunday’s results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Rideau Carleton Raceway.