He came a nose shy from a repeat win in the $10,000 Preferred Handicap Pace, but on Sunday night (May 14), The Light Speed asserted himself and grabbed retribution at the Rideau Carleton Raceway top class.
Trainer-driver Guy Gagnon sent the five-year-old Moon Beam gelding for the front from post six and cleared after a :26.3 first quarter. Gagnon kept the speed rolling to a :54.4 half and 1:22.4 three-quarters, in which Mayhem Like Me mounted a first-over challenge and drew to within a length of the lead heading into the stretch. The Light Speed stayed firm to the inside and kept Mayhem Like Me behind by a half length at the end of a 1:51.1 mile with Flash Cube, from second over, taking third and pocket-sitter Ima Dude finishing fourth.
The Light Speed is a homebred for Michel Nolette. He won his 32nd race from 79 starts and has now earned $236,079. He paid $2.90 to win.
Conditioner Melissa Loyer collected her first victory as a trainer on the Sunday undercard, in her first start no less. Loyer sent Vanilla Malted, a fresh acquisition from trainer Cory Kreiser, to the track in a $6,000 conditioned pace and driver Robert Shepherd guided the odds-on favourite to a coast-to-coast win.
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Rideau Carleton Raceway.