Driver Stephane Brosseau steered the winners in both $8,100 Preferred events at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, June 9 while driver Guy Gagnon also thrived when winning six races on the 12-race card, three of which were for trainer Jamie Copley.
Flying Isa N brushed first over and blew to a three-and-a-quarter length victory in the Preferred Trot as the 1-2 favourite. The 11-year-old Pegasus Spur gelding sat fifth as Lmc Mass Gem pocketed Pasadena Star to a :27.3 opening quarter. Brosseau then angled the Yves Tessier trainee first over approaching a :57.3 half and drew within a length of the lead passing a 1:26.2 third quarter. Flying Isa N surged by Lmc Mass Gem turning for the finish and expanded his lead in progress to a 1:55.2 victory. Lmc Mass Gem held off Upvote Hanover, rallying from second over, for third.
Owned by Francois Morin, Flying Isa N won his fifth race from 20 starts this season and his 42nd from 157 overall, earning $574,554. He paid $3.00 to win.
A few races later Musselsfrmbrussels fanned off cover and edged past late leader Cams Lucky Sam to win the Preferred Pace in 1:52.3.
The 11-year-old Modern Art stallion sat fourth while Majo Lou Beka pushed for the lead from the pylons. He posted fractions of :27 and :55.2 while facing no challenge until Cams Lucky Sam pulled first over moving to a 1:23.1 third quarter. Cams Lucky Sam overtook the pacesetter in the stretch but could not hold off Musselsfrmbrussels’ charge nearing the finish, settling for second by a half length. Macktwowilldew, riding the pocket, finished third.
Owned by The Three Gees Stable, Musselsfrmbrussels won his third race from 15 starts this season and his 51st from 256 overall, earning $786,822. Matthew McDonald trains the $6.10 winner.
Meanwhile Guy Gagnon’s big night kicked off with Pantheon Hanover, a $47.60 winner who swooped first over into the final turn to win the opener. Gagnon then won back-to-back races when his trainee E R Rhonda ($3.20) romped a $6,000 conditioned pace and Melanie G ($6.80) popped pocket to win a $6,500 conditioned trot.
Trainer Jamie Copley supplied Gagnon his remaining wins on the card with Wildcat Cam ($11.60), who won by seven lengths in a $6,500 conditioned pace, The Roadies ($3.50), who popped from the pocket to win by four-and-a-quarter lengths in a $6,900 conditioned pace, and Oxford Comma ($5.70), who rode the pocket to a head victory in a $6,000 conditioned pace.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.