Things didn’t look so good for Livefreeordiehard when he was more than fifteen lengths off the lead at the mid-way point of Thursday’s $13,000 Preferred Pace at Rideau Carleton Raceway, but everything turned out just fine for the Richard Moreau pupil at the finish line
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The six-year-old son of Western Hanover-Artomatic used a :28.3 final quarter to propel himself past the leg weary leaders en route to posting a 1:54 score in the featured event.
Guy Gagnon got away last with Livefreeordiehard in the seven-horse affair while Best Show In Town and Imjustalittleguy took turns on the lead through blistering fractions of :26.1, :54.2 and 1:24.4. Livefreeordiehard, who was still last at the half, was third over while sitting fifth heading into the final quarter. He had little problem gobbling up the leaders and then drawing away to win by 4-1/4 lengths over Toucam Sam. Montreal Phil came on strong to finish third.
Sent off as the even-money favourite, Livefreeordiehard improved his 2011 record to 5-2-1 in 16 tries while pushing his lifetime earnings to $336,290. The 20-time winner is owned by Janet Ho of Markham, Ontario.
The Thursday program saw driver John MacDonald put together a five-win performance. He took the opener with Dixie Allstar (1:56.4) and added wins with Countyline Cam (1:53.4), Pumped And Glidin (1:59.1), Magical Marks (1:58.2) and Festive Starlet (1:57.1).
MacDonald, who has notched 85 wins at Rideau Carleton Raceway this season, currently sits fourth in the drivers’ standings at the five-eighths mile oval.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Rideau Carleton Raceway.