The Sunday (March 7) at Rideau Carleton Raceway saw two trainers thrive, with John MacMillan and Anne Turenne scoring hat tricks on the 15-race card.
MacMillan’s three victories included an upset win with Mr Contestant in the $9,200 Preferred Trot. Driver Stephane Brosseau floated from the pylon post into third with Mr Contestant while LMC Mass Gem took control to the quarter in :28.2. With the tempo slowed to a :59 half, Crossfit angled first over out of fourth and advanced towards the rated pacesetter moving to the backstretch.
Crossfit loomed closer to LMC Mass Gem passing three-quarters in 1:28.2 and crept to match strides with the leader circling into the stretch. From there Crossfit took a narrow lead before facing late challenges from pocket-sitter Pasadena Star and Mr Contestant, the latter of which landed at the beam first in 1:58.1. Pasadena Star finished a neck behind in second with Crossfit settling for third.
A six-year-old gelding by Winning Mister, Mr Contestant won his 16th race from 92 starts, earning $196,449. MacMillan, co-owns the $54.40 winner with 2099551 Ontario Inc, also scored victories on the card with Dylans Bank ($2.90) and Vanilla Malted ($4.40).
Anne Turenne started her hat trick with a victory by Twin B Fearless ($10.10) before later scoring back-to-back wins with SOS Justified ($3.70) and Lunar Launch ($8.20).
In the co-featured $9,200 Preferred Handicap Pace, Racemup grabbed command past the quarter and withstood pressure through the mile to complete a wire-to-wire job in 1:55.
Parked through a :26.4 opening panel, Racemup took command while Luke And Duke raced first over and parked to a :55.4 half. Luke And Duke stayed at Racemup’s side into the backstretch as the pace began to soften heading to three-quarters in 1:25.1. Meanwhile, National Debt started to uncork from third over and ripped off the corner rallying towards pacesetter Racemup, who kept a neck in front of the closer to win. Officer Jones closed for third while pocket-sitter Dreydl Hanover took fourth.
Owned by Gordon Mc Donald and Christopher Boland, Racemup won his 22nd race from 94 starts, earning $228,690. Marie Claude Auger drove the six-year-old Whatayasay gelding for owner Victor Puddy. He paid $4.60 to win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.