Two $10,000 Preferreds highlighted the 10-race Sunday, May 12 card at Rideau Carleton Raceway, with Duke Lavictoire and The Light Speed capturing the top trot and pace, respectively.
Driver Pascal Berube put Duke Lavictoire immediately on the engine after leaving from post two, guiding the field of seven trotters to the opening quarter of :27.3. Duke Lavictoire had things his way to the half in :57.1 before unleashing a vicious third quarter to slip away by three lengths at that station in 1:24.2. Warrawee Xalt (Ryan Guy) moved into second on the final turn, narrowing the margin to the leader down to a length turning for home. Warrawee Xalt took his shot at the pacesetter in the lane, however, Duke Lavictoire dug in with a :30.1 final quarter to find the wire first by a head in 1:54.3. Raising Rusty (Stephane Pouliot) rounded out the trifecta.
The six-year-old gelded son of Royalty For Life-Kadabra Lavictoire has now won two of his three starts in 2024. The 23-time career winner is trained by Andre Lachance for owner Suzanne Lavictoire and has now banked $138,141 for his career. The 1:54.3 clocking matched Duke Lavictoire's lifetime best established last year at Rideau Carleton.
In the Preferred Pace, The Light Speed and Guy Gagnon delivered as 1-5 favourites. Leaving from the outside post five, The Light Speed left alertly but found himself parked to the outside of Light The Torch (Pascal Berube) to the first quarter in :27.1. The Light Speed cleared going by the stands for the first time to lead to the half in :56.2 before taking the field to three-quarters in 1:24.4. Turning for home, The Light Speed proved to have plenty in the tank, getting home in :28.2 under Gagnon urging to fend off a late bid by a fast-closing Jet Rock by three-quarters of a length in 1:53.1. Light The Torch held for the third position.
Trained by Gagnon as well, The Light Speed earned a milestone 50th career victory with his fifth win of 2024. Owned by Michel Nolette, the six-year-old gelded son of Moon Beam-Jayma pushed his career bankroll to $362,714 with the win.
The victory was one of two for Gagnon on the night as both driver and trainer.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)