Guy Gagnon sent out four starters Sunday evening at Rideau Carleton Raceway, and those four performers manufactured a perfect night for the veteran horseman.
Gagnon kicked off the ‘win parade’ with Schrader Hanover (1:57.4) in Race 5, and stablemate Shanghai Kang (1:55.4) held on for a brave decision in a $6,500 co-featured event for pacers in the very next race.
The natural hat trick was completed thanks to a front-stepping score with Private Interview (1:55.3) in Race 7, but the winning wasn’t complete. A come-from-behind tally with veteran pacer Calgary Seelster (1:54.3) in Race 10 gave Gagnon the perfect night.
The Gatineau, QC horseman has already surpassed last year’s win total – a remarkable feat considering we’re not even one third of the way through the year. He went 20-for-146 last year, and his four-win performance on Sunday evening improved this year’s training record to 21-7-3 from 40 starters.
In the $6,650 winners over trot it was Raising Richard finding his way to victory lane for the second week in a row.
Darrell Coville worked out a beautiful two-hole trip for the gelding behind Heres The Magic. That foe threw down fractions of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:28, but Raising Richard’s :28.4 closing speed earned him the win by 3-1/4 lengths over Heres The Magic in 1:57. Taking home third prize was Collector Classic.
Ed McHale trains the five-year-old son of Deweycheatumnhowe-Raising The Bar for 2099551 Ontario Inc of Greely and John MacMillan of Spencerville, Ont. Sent off as the 3-5 favourite, Raising Richard improved this year’s record to 3-1-1 from eight starts. The 23-time winner has banked more than $140,000 to date.
To view results for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Results – Rideau Carleton Raceway.