Driver Guy Gagnon dominated in the first racing card back at Rideau Carleton Raceway, winning seven of the 10 races on Sunday (June 7) with three of his winners coming from his own barn.
Among Gagnon’s victories was Seeyou Men, who took the $9,200 Preferred Trot as the 1-5 favourite in 1:56.2.
Vero Amore Bi took the lead heading to a :28.2 first quarter with Seeyou Men settling for the pocket. The leader remained unchallenged through a :58.1 half but faced pressure as Seeyou Men popped pocket moving to three-quarters in 1:27.3. Seeyou Men slid to a two-length lead rounding the final turn and extended his advantage to three-and-a-half lengths at the finish. Vero Amore Bi held second with Flying Isa N taking third.
Trained by Gagnon for owners Catheline Pelletier and Chantal Gravel, Seeyou Men won his first race from 11 starts this season and his 27th from 124 overall, earning $303,316. He paid $2.50 to win.
The opener on the card also went to Gagnon, who steered odds-on favourite Journalistic ($3.90) to a wire-to-wire victory. A few races later, Gagnon returned to the winner’s circle with Mach Messier ($11.90) and in the race following the Preferred Trot with Big Petes Style ($3.90). Gagnon then capped the night with a natural hat trick, winning with Its Eds Idea ($3.90), Jim Tom ($17.50) and Cal Hanover ($12.10).
In the co-featured $9,200 Preferred Handicap Pace, Vanilla Malted commandeered his competition and clung to the lead at the finish to win by less than a length in 1:54.3.
Parked past a :27 first quarter, Vanilla Malted cleared the lead from Atomic Million Am and cruised to a :56.1 half under no pressure. Meanwhile Speed To Market, racing fifth, angled first over moving to the second turn with Hooter Shooter in tow and progressed towards the pacesetter heading to three-quarters in 1:25.3. Vanilla Malted gained a two length lead spinning into the stretch as Speed To Market faltered, but Hooter Shooter tipped three wide and charged after the leader in the stretch drive. At the finish Vanilla Malted had a three-quarter lengths advantage over Hooter Shooter with American Wiggle closing for third.
A four-year-old gelding by Sweet Lou, Vanilla Malted won his fourth race from six starts this season and his 17th from 37 overall, earning $66,503. John MacMillan conditions and co-owns the $7.60 winner with 2099551 Ontario Inc. Clarke Steacy sat in the sulky.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.