Mythic Gambler avenged his first loss of the year as quick as The Light Speed this time out to take the $10,000 Preferred Handicap Pace at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, May 25.
Closing from the backfield when they last met in the May 14 edition of the Preferred, Mythic Gambler came up just a half-length shy to The Light Speed, ending a win streak dating back to last November. But on Sunday night, he was able to catch that rival at the wire in 1:52.4 after tracking his cover from the backfield.
I Ama Rocket (Marie-Claude Auger) had blasted off from the middle of the gate and led the field of eight all the way into the stretch with fractions of :26.3, :56 and 1:23.3 over the 'good' track. Meanwhile, Mythic Gambler and driver Robert Shepherd followed the cover of The Light Speed (Guy Gagnon) when that foe moved underway from the back as they passed in front of the grandstand the first time. Turning into the stretch the final time, those two rallied wide outside of the pocket-popping Tignanello (Ryan Guy) and pacesetting I Ama Rocket, with Mythic Gambler out-sprinting them all furthest out to prevail by a neck over The Light Speed in 1:52.4. Less than a length back, Tignanello edged out I Ama Rocket for third.
Sent postward as the slight favourite, Mythic Gambler paid $4.50 to win. He is now three-for-four this year for trainer Catherine Girard and owner Kozen Farms of La Prairie, Que. The seven-year-old Bettors Delight-Mythical gelding has won 15 of his 23 races lifetime while earning $71,092.
Just prior to evening's feature, 16-year-old Kenmore, Ont. trainer Jacob Copley celebrated his first career win when Captainofrocknroll ($7.80) and driver Guy Gagnon circled a short field to win the $7,000 fifth race, a $15,000 optional claiming pace, kicking three lengths clear late in the 1:54.2 mile. Copley also co-owns the seven-year-old Captaintreacherous-Rock N Roll Xample gelding, who was a $13,000 claim earlier this month at Flamboro Downs, with Mandy Archer. It took just six starts for the teenage horseman to get his first win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)