The Light Speed got his nose on the wire first in a thriller in the $10,000 Preferred Pace, which highlighted the 10-race Rideau Carleton Raceway card on Sunday, June 9.
Leaving from the outside post five in the quintet, driver Guy Gagnon was content to settle in fifth off the gate with The Light Speed while there was no shortage of action on the lead. Passing up on the pocket, Aladdin (Stephane Brosseau) took command of the field exiting the first turn to lead to the quarter station in :28.1. A parked out Light The Torch (Pascal Berube) pressed on to the lead and cleared before taking the field to the half in :56.2 while The Light Speed began his first-over rally into third on the rim. Rolling with a head of steam on the backstretch, The Light Speed nearly cleared before the three-quarter pole before Light The Torch countered as the leaders duelled to that third quarter mark in 1:24.3.
Utilizing his inside position on the turn, Light The Torch hit the top of the lane in front with The Light Speed continuing to bear down on the leader. The Light Speed finally put away Light The Torch midway down the stretch before Jet Rock (Robert Shepherd) tipped off of cover and began to surge in the lane. Jet Rock was roaring late but The Light Speed got to the line first a nose in front of the surging challenger in 1:53.4. Light The Torch held for the third position.
Now a winner in seven of 13 races in 2024, the Gagnon trainee is a 52-time career winner, having hit the board in 93 of 117 lifetime starts. Owned by Michel Nolette, the six-year-old gelded son of Moon Beam-Jayma has now banked $372,714 for his career.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)