Owned, trained and driven by Melanie Plourde, Bestofbest Hanover sat the pocket to the favourite and blew to a half-length win at 10-1 in 1:54.3 on Sunday, April 28 at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Ufdragons Rocket parked to a :28.2 quarter as Bestofbest Hanover led before yielding the lead through the stretch first time. Then posting fractions of :57.1 and 1:25.4, Ufdragons Rocket turned for home on the lead while Canadian Edition ground first over and Bestofbest Hanover veered out of the pocket. Bestofbest Hanover surged to the lead late in the stretch to post a half-length victory with Canadian Edition took third.
Returning $23.40 to win, Bestofbest Hanover won his first race from seven starts this season and his 37th from 207 overall, earning $699,588. Melanie Plourde owns, trains and drives the winner.
Flying Isa N followed with a wire to wire win in the $8,100 Preferred Trot by four lengths in 1:56.1. The 11-year-old Pegasus Spur gelding cleared command from post five and posted fractions of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:26.4 on the lead while Pasadena Star sat the pocket and Slip Into Glide ventured into the competition first over. Flying Isa N drew away from the field through the lane while Pasadena Star gave pursuit from second and Slip Into Glide settled for third.
Owned by Francois Morin, Flying Isa N won his third race from 15 starts and his 40th from 152 overall, earning $564,510. Stephane Brosseau drove the $4.60 winner for trainer Yves Tessier.
Trainer Matthew McDonald won three races on the Sunday card. He started his night with Genesee ($13.00), who flew from off the pace to a three-quarter lengths win in 1:56 to take a $6,500 conditioned pace. McDonald then swept the late double as Its Eds Idea ($3.70) wired his competition in a $6,500 conditioned pace in 1:54.4 and Cheyenne Moishe ($5.80) popped pocket to win a $6,000 claiming pace in 1:56.4.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.