Raising Richard halted Upvote Hanover's five-race win streak with a front-striding score in Sunday night's co-featured $8,100 Preferred Handicap Trot at Rideau Carleton Raceway while driver Louis-Philippe Roy added to his season-leading win totals.
Driven by Darrell Coville, Raising Richard led the field of six trotters in the evening's first Preferred event through panels of :28.3, :59.2 and 1:28 en route to victory in 1:57.2. Sent postward as the 4-5 second choice following a victory in last Sunday night's top trot, Raising Richard paid $3.20 to win. Returning to action after the week off, slight favourite Upvote Hanover progressed first-up from fourth at the midway mark, but could not catch the sharp Raising Richard, who prevailed by two and three-quarter lengths. Jetcrest finished third off a two-hole trip.
Raising Richard has now won half of his six starts this year following a 13-win campaign in 2017. Lifetime, he boasts 36 victories and more than $200,000 in earnings. Edward McHale trains the six-year-old Deweycheatumnhowe gelding for owners John MacMillan of Spencerville, Ont., and 099551 Ontario Inc.
Winless in his first five starts this year, Bali pulled off a 16-1 surprise in the $8,550 Preferred Pace as he pulled the pocket in the stretch and wore down the pacesetting D J Power in the final strides to score a 1:54.1 victory for trainer/driver Marie Claude Auger. D J Power, the 2-1 second wagering choice, settled for the runner-up role a neck back after leading the field through panels of :26.4, :56.2 and 1:25. Favourite Ufdragons Rocket launched his attack from the three-hole approaching the third quarter mark and ended up third, finishing less than a length behind.
A homebred son of Dali, seven-year-old pacer Bali notched his 35th career victory for owners Denise Auger and Emilie Auger while his bankroll climbed over $168,000.
The hot-handed Louis-Philippe Roy was the most-photographed reinsman of the night as he made six visits to the winner's circle. The leading driver in the nation's capital and Canada-wide partnered with Bettim Vicky ($4.80), J K Cowboy ($5.30), Warrawee Proton ($3.40), Ten Carat ($4.20), Cliff Drummond ($8.90) and Big Sport ($7.70) for his Sunday victories.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.