Zorgwijk Impact wore down pacesetter and fan favourite Planet Earth to pull off an 8-1 upset in the $13,000 Preferred Handicap Trot on Friday night at Rideau Carleton Raceway
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Planet Earth (Guy Gagnon) emerged as the leader from a wall of early leavers with Sos Breezer (Denis St. Pierre) pressing to the first quarter in :27.3 before taking over control in front of the grandstand.
Refusing to sit a pocket trip, Planet Earth moved right back out for the retake as they headed around the turn. He cleared at the :57 half-mile mark while driver John MacDonald sent Zorgwijk Impact first up from third. The six-year-old son of Armbro Ricochet-Zorgwijk Devoted went head-to-head with Planet Earth as they raced to three-quarters in 1:26.4 and began to inch ahead around the final turn.
Planet Earth met his match, tiring in the stretch and fading to sixth while Zorgwijk Impact pulled off the upset in 1:57.2 with a one length margin of victory. Star Ruffnready (Rheo Filion), a winner last time out, rallied from last to place and Summerhill Charles (Stephane Gendron) finished third.
Zorgwijk Impact paid $19.40 to win for the second time in 21 seasonal starts. The seven-time bridesmaid is owned and trained by Matthew McDonald of Greely, Ont. His career bankroll climbed to $175,369 with the lion’s share of the purse from his 15th lifetime victory.
For results from Friday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Friday Results - Rideau Carlton Raceway