Yielding for the pocket, Windsun Cheyenne veered from behind the pacesetter in the stretch and edged to a 7-1 win in the $8,100 Preferred Handicap Pace on Sunday, April 14 at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Windsun Cheyenne led to a :27.2 quarter before letting Stonebridge Beach brush to the top past the stands first time. Following fractions of :57.1 and 1:26, Stonebridge Beach owned a two-length lead on Windsun Cheyenne while the outside flow stalled approaching the final turn. Driver Stephane Brosseau pulled Windsun Cheyenne from the pocket into the stretch and edged to a half-length victory in 1:56. Bestofbest Hanover took third.
Owned by trainer Gina Bragagnolo, Windsun Cheyenne won his second race from eight starts this season and his 23rd from 128 overall, earning $150,964. The nine-year-old Cams Card Shark gelding paid $16.40 to win.
Stephane Brosseau also steered Flying Isa N to victory in the $8,100 Preferred Handicap Trot. The 11-year-old Pegasus Spur gelding sat fifth as Wildwild Men led through a :28.4 opening quarter. Favourite Slip Into Glide, caught wide around the turn, soon cleared heading to the half while Brosseau rolled Flying Isa N first over into a :58.4 half.
Flying Isa N cleared the lead heading to the backstretch while Neon Lights, tracking his stand-side brush, dashed into the pocket and stayed put through a 1:28.4 third quarter. Neon Lights then tipped from the pocket and pursued the leader into the lane but finished a neck short in the 1:58.3 mile. Lmc Mass Gem, grinding first over, finished a length back in third.
Winning his second race from 13 starts this season and his 39th from 150 overall, Flying Isa N has earned $560,055. Yves Tessier trains the $12.20 winner for owner Francois Morin.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.