After brief streaks as runner-ups, pacer Solid Performance and trotter Uncle Freddie were the stars of the show Sunday night, winning the $6,500 co-features at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Both horses were victorious from the trailing tier in the Winners Over $25,000 Lifetime/Not Listed Preferred events for their respective gaits.
Advancing from mid-field, Solid Performance ($14.30) swept three-high coming into the stretch and went on by his rivals to take a new lifetime mark of 1:54 flat on Sunday following four straight second-place finishes in the $9,000 claiming class. Guy Gagnon trains and drives the six-year-old son of Armbro Deuce for owner Marc Andre Cormier of Princeville, Que. Hopetobefirst finished second and Wildsville came on for third.
Race favourite Uncle Freddie ($6.60) also fanned wide around the final turn, closing off cover for his victory in 1:56.2. Ghirardelli Lindy held on for second ahead of Michelangelo. Uncle Freddie had finished a close second to each of those rivals over the past two weeks. The seven-year-old Danish Delight gelding, owned by Serge Fleury of Quebec City, Que., provided driver Denis St Pierre and trainer Yves Tessier with their second win together on the card.
They also teamed up with 12-year-old trotter Perfect Vacation, who celebrated his 50th career win. The Dream Vacation gelding is owned by Francois Morin of Beauceville, Que.
Sunday night's 14-race program got off to a rough beginning for St Pierre and Tessier through as their first-race starter Machcardi broke stride while leading near the half and caused interference to most of the field. Richlyn Yogi was moving up on the outside when he got caught up in the commotion and his driver, Emil Toth, appeared to be unseated during the accident.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.