Sent the 9-5 favourite, National Debt delivered a confident victory in the co-featured $9,200 Preferred Handicap Pace at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday (July 18).
Driver Pascal Berube cleared command with the 10-year-old Allamerican Native stallion passing a :27.1 first quarter and slowed the tempo towards a :56.2 half. Springbridge Jim angled first over coming to the second turn and marched to within a length of the lead as the pace slightly quickened. National Debt kept Springbridge Jim at bay past three-quarters in 1:24.2 and widened his lead into the final turn, strolling through the stretch to win by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:52.3 over Thrilling Times. Salty Robyn N finished another length behind in third.
Owned by Francois Morin, National Debt won his fifth race from 10 starts this season and his 71st from 208 overall, earning $636,239. Yves Tessier trains the $5.70 winner.
Vero Amore Bi took the victory a few races later in the evening’s other feature, a $9,200 Preferred Handicap Trot.
Leading to a :28 first quarter, owner-trainer-driver Michael Healey yielded with Vero Amore Bi to let Ripped And Ready dictate the tempo to a :57.2 half. Crossfit pulled off the pegs from fourth at that point and swept towards the lead as Healey moved Vero Amore Bi uncovered coming to three-quarters. By that station in 1:26.4, Vero Amore Bi gained ground on Crossfit and gathered momentum in the straightaway to slide past his competitor by 1-1/4 lengths and stop the clock in 1:56. Crossfit settled for second while 9-5 favourite Seeyou Men rallied from last for third.
A seven-year-old stallion by Manofmanymissions, Vero Amore Bi won his third race from 12 starts this season and his 26th from 89 overall, earning $239,859. He paid $15.00 to win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.