Driver Guy Gagnon and trainer Jamie Copley teamed to dominate another program at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, May 12, with Guy Gagnon winning five of the 14 races of the card—three of which conditioned by Copley—including the $8,100 Preferred Pace with his own pupil Saulsbrook Peach.
Leading for every step, Saulsbrook Peach posted fractions of :27, :56.1 and 1:23.3 on the lead. He endured minor first-over pressure from Stonebridge Beach, who sat sixth by 14 lengths at the quarter, passing the half but faced little challenge through the stretch. The Gagnon-trained 10-year-old Royal Mattjesty gelding cruised to a two-and-a-three-quarter length victory in 1:51.4 while Musselsfrmbrussels overtook pocket-sitter Bestofbest Hanover for second.
Owned by Catheline Pelletier, Saulsbrook Peach won his third race from nine starts this season and his 31st from 192 overall, earning $199,162. He paid $6.30 to win.
Gagnon's other winners—of the Copley trainees—came with The Mighty Marner ($4.70), who won a $5,600 conditioned pace on the front; Pick Up Man ($4.00), who kicked off cover from second over to win a $6,000 conditioned pace; and Hp Pandora ($9.60), who wired a $4,800 claiming pace in the nightcap. Gagnon also steered another of his own trainees, E R Rhonda ($5.40), to a 1:55.3 victory in a $6,000 conditioned pace.
In the co-featured $8,100 Preferred Trot, Lmc Mass Gem led the field the whole way and pulled an 11-1 upset in 1:54.4.
Leaving from post three, driver Jacques Beaudoin controlled the tempo through fractions of :27, :56.3 and 1:25.3. Revenue Agent drafted from the pocket while Neon Lights, sitting third, edged off the pylons moving into the final turn and attempted to cut into the leader's margin. However Lmc Mass Gem remained clear through the stretch to win by two-and-a-half lengths over Neon Lights with Revenue Agent three lengths father back in third.
Returning $25.10 to win, Lmc Mass Gem is trained by Johanne Begin for owners Jacques Beaudoin, Maurice Houle, Ronald Charette and Andre Beaudoin. The five-year-old Muscle Mass gelding won his second race from 13 starts this season and his 16th from 74 overall, earning $314,415.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.