Off the odds-on favourite, Seeyou Men brushed to the lead and held firm through the stretch to post a 1:55.4 victory in the $9,200 Preferred Handicap Trot at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday (June 14).
A three-wide duel for the front raged around the first turn, with Vero Amore Bi eventually crossing to the cones past a :27.4 first quarter to lead Pasadena Star, racing in the pocket, and Keepall, racing third. Vero Amore Bi then decelerated to a :57.4 half, prompting trainer-driver Guy Gagnon to angle Seeyou Men off the pegs and launch him towards the front.
Seeyou Men took over the lead up the backside while Vero Amore Bi faltered, forcing several horses wide heading to three-quarters in 1:26.3. Keepall circled into the pocket while Seeyou Men opened a three-length advantage turning into the stretch and attempted to cut into that margin. Though Seeyou Men maintained control to the finish, winning by a length over Keepall with Flying Isa N finishing five lengths farther back in third.
Owned by Catheline Pelletier and Chantal Gravel, Seeyou Men won his second race from 12 starts this season and his 28th in 125 overall, earning $307,916. The eight-year-old Muscle Mass gelding paid $3.20 to win.
Later on the card, Speed To Market darted from the pocket to take the $9,200 Preferred Handicap Pace in 1:54.
Sports Authority took the lead from Speed To Market past a :27.2 first quarter and managed to slow the pace to a :57.1 half. However Stonebridge Beach, seventh by 10 lengths at the quarter, edged off the pylons and rushed to race third, within two lengths of the lead, moving to the second turn. Stonebridge Beach continued to press Sports Authority past three-quarters in 1:25.1 but began to retreat into the final turn. Room then opened for Speed To Market to vacate the pocket, and the five-year-old Betterthancheddar gelding rallied for the lead late to land a half-length in front on the finish. Sports Authority settled for second with Bestofbest Hanover finishing third.
Trainer by Yves Tessier for owner Francois Morin, Speed To Market won his third race from 14 starts this season and his ninth from 48 overall, earning $109,140. Pascal Berube drove the $17.20 winner.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.