Sent off as the 3-2 favourite, The Light Speed swept to the lead past the quarter and kept his competition at bay to win the $10,500 Preferred Pace at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday (March 20).
Parked to a :28 first quarter, The Light Speed cleared command from St Lads Cash coming past the stands first time while Major Hill pulled off the pegs from third and ventured uncovered after the new leader into a :56.4 half. Major Hill continued to press The Light Speed to three-quarters in 1:24.4 but lost ground rounding the final turn before surging towards the leader again in the straightaway. However, The Light Speed held firm to the inside and kept Major Hill a half-length behind to win in 1:53.3. Lovemyrockinbird rallied from third over for show and Outkast Blue Chip took fourth.
Trained and driven by Guy Gagnon for owner Michel Nolette, The Light Speed won his 18th race from 41 starts, lifting his earnings to $116,574. The four-year-old Moon Beam gelding paid $5 to win.
Crossfit applied similar front-stepping tactics to take the co-featured $10,500 Preferred Handicap Trot in 1:57.4. The six-year-old Donato Hanover gelding, off the 3-5 favourite, sped to the top to a :27.3 quarter and backed the tempo to a :59.1 half, prompting Gloire Dream to attack first over out of third. Gloire Dream gained on Crossfit to three-quarters in 1:28 but stalled off the final turn while The Magic Of Life sprung off cover to apply a stern challenge in the straightaway. Crossfit crossed the beam in time to keep a head in front of The Magic Of Life with pocket-sitter Raising Rusty finishing third and Gloire Dream settling for fourth.
Owned by Gordon McDonald and Christopher Boland, Crossfit won his 21st race from 90 starts, lifting his earnings to $232,659. Marie-Claude Auger drove the $2.60 winner for trainer Victor Puddy.
John MacMillan landed a training hat trick on the 15-race card. MacMillan started the night with a win in the opener by Asa Im Ready ($3.50) and scored another victory a few races later with Montysgonemarble ($6.90). Salty Robyn N ($4.20) completed the hat trick when winning the penultimate race on the card.
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Rideau Carleton Raceway.