Not many drivers can say they shared their first winner's circle with a Hambletonian and O’Brien Award winning horseman
. James Hay can. Hay won his first race on December 17, 2010 at Rideau Carleton Raceway with trotting mare Peggy. He had to share the spotlight that night in a dead heat with Ima Houdini, driven by none other than Per Henriksen.
On Friday night, however, the young pilot refused to share the spotlight and did so in a fashion rich in irony. Not only did he survive a nearly mile-long park out but he shook off the challenge of one Quantum Incredible, trained and driven by Per Henriksen.
Peggy is owned by Melody and James Hay with Dwayne Hay as the trainer. The four-year-old daughter of Pegasus Spur won by a quarter length over Aquanilla and Quantum Incredible in 2:02.3
In the featured race of the card, the $13,000 Preferred Trot, Star Ruffnready was ready to go when asked to rally home from the back of the pack, stealing the spotlight from last week’s winner.
The six-year-old son of Armbro Winner-Star Wild Orchid, who settled for a runner-up spot in last Friday’s outing, trailed the field early on after leaving from the outermost Post 7 while the defending class champion Summerhill Charles (Stephane Gendron) pulled the pocket and took control of the field after the opening quarter mark.
Moving underway from the backfield, Star Ruffnready ($6.50) and driver Rheo Filion went out and around Royal Academy (Raymond Gingras) and then wide again around the first over Windshear (Robert Robinson) in the stretch, trotting home in :29.3 to prevail by a length and a quarter in 1:57.4. Summerhill Charles finished second and Windshear was third.
James Lamacchia trains the career winner of nine races and over $291,000 for owners Pepiniere Nicky Inc. of Lery and Lewis Murphy of St-Etienne-De-Beauharnois, Que. Tonight’s victory was Star Ruffnready’s first of the 2011 racing season in four starts.
For results from Friday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Friday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.