Early Action and driver Robert Shepherd made their move at just the right time to capture the $10,000 Preferred Handicap Pace at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, April 27.
In a compact but competitive field of five, Smilingbillythekid (Marie-Claude Auger) grabbed the early lead, but even-money favourite Light The Torch (Pascal Berube) was quick to take over, setting the opening quarter in :27.1. I Ama Rocket (Guy Gagnon) came first-over, with Early Action tracking second-over in the short field. The half was reached in :56.4 as I Ama Rocket advanced to challenge Light The Torch, and the pair battled past three-quarters in 1:24.3. Around the final turn, Early Action tipped three-wide and surged down the stretch to prevail in 1:52.4 by 1-1/4 lengths. Light The Torch fought on for second, while I Ama Rocket rounded out the top three. A $2 win ticket paid $5.70.
Early Action, a six-year-old gelded son of Huntsville-Fashion Katie, is trained by Mandy Archer for owners Jamie Copley of Kenmore, Ont. and Kimberly Eaton of Brockville, Ont. The win marked the first of the season for Early Action and the 18th of his career, boosting his seasonal earnings to $9,200 and lifetime total to $691,868.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)