Euro Classic stalked second over and rallied wide down the stretch to prevail in the $6,500 Winners Over Handicap Trot on Sunday night (March 6) at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
After a 45-minute delay due to track conditions requiring intensive maintenance, Sunday's 12-race program commenced and Euro Classic was the star of the featured sixth race.
Last week's winner, Four Starz Speed, pursued early leader Michelangelo, leaving from his outside six-post, through a :27.3 first quarter. The 8-5 favourite took over command at the three-eighths mark and proceeded to the half in :59.1, where Heres The Magic advanced from third to apply first over pressure. Meanwhile, Euro Classic and driver Per Henriksen followed second over and Broadway Prince fanned three-wide down the backside.
Back on top, Heres The Magic pushed ahead at the 1:29.4 third quarter mark and put away Four Starz Speed into the stretch. However, Broadway Prince lost ground around the final turn allowing Euro Classic to launch wide coming into the stretch and close quickly outside of Heres The Magic to nail him near the wire. Euro Classic prevailed by half a length in 2:00.1 over the track rated "good" with a two second allowance. Heres The Magic was the runner-up with Broadway Prince re-rallying for third, finishing over two lengths behind.
Sent postward as the 3-1 third choice, Euro Classic paid $8.10 to win.
Euro Classic has now won three (consecutive) races from five starts this year. Lifetime, he sports a 27-21-21 summary from 105 starts and earnings totalling $181,419.
The eight-year-old gelded son of Chocolatier is owned by trainer Ann Karin Larsen, Tor Jan Larsen and Odd Larsen.
Gerard Demers topped all trainers on the night with four winners from his stable, three of which -- Strokin, Ive Got It All and Lutetia Semalu -- were driven by Guy Gagnon while Stephane Lareau catch-drove Boy Meets Grill to cap off his own driving hat trick. Henriksen also drove his own trainee Tim T to a mild upset victory on the program, and moved within four training wins of the 1,000 milestone mark.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.