Full Horse gobbled up another victory on Sunday, June 30 at Rideau Carleton Raceway, scoring a front-end victory in the $10,000 Preferred Pace, which highlighted the 10-race card.
Full Horse and driver Jimmy Gagnon flashed quickly to the lead off of the gate from post four, taking the field of six to the quarter in :27.2 as 6-5 favourite The Light Speed (Guy Gagnon) thought better of pursuing the front and settled in the third position. The Light Speed didn't sit on a helmet for long, wheeling back out first-over while Full Horse took the field to the half in :55.2. Jimmy Gagnon pulled the plugs on Full Horse on the backstretch, looking to counter as The Light Speed reached the leader's wheel at three-quarters in 1:23.
Utilizing his inside position on the final turn, Full Horse turned for home 1-1/4 lengths ahead of The Light Speed at the top of the stretch with Jet Rock (Robert Shepherd) now in pursuit of the two leaders. Full Horse faced a two-pronged attack in the lane, with the Light Speed continuing to surge to the outside and Jet Rock diving for the passing lane. Pacing home gamely in :27.4, Full Horse had enough to hang on by a neck over The Light Speed in 1:50.4, Jet Rock finished third just three-quarters of a length behind the winner. Full Horse returned $4.80 to win as the 7-5 second-choice.
Trained by Catherine Girard, the 1:50.4 clocking was a new lifetime best for Full Horse who owns four wins on the year, each of which coming in his last five tries. The gelded four-year-old son of Bettors Delight-Lady Be Great is owned by Kozen Farms and now sports a career bankroll of $92,212 following the victory.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)