Jet Rock was a repeat winner in the $10,000 Preferred Pace at Rideau Carleton Raceway while Guy Gagnon surpassed $10 million in career training earnings on the Sunday, July 21 program.
A field of five went postward in the evening's featured Preferred Pace, which served as the fifth race on the card. Leaving from the outside post five, Jet Rock and regular pilot Robert Shepherd could see them all early while 1-5 favourite The Light Speed (Guy Gagnon) worked to the lead through a :27.1 first quarter.
The Light Speed went unchallenged to the half in :56.3 as Shepherd angled Jet Rock off the pylons to begin his first-over journey from last. Unable to flush cover, Jet Rock surged to the leader's wheel on the backstretch, challenging The Light Speed at three-quarters in 1:24.4.
The pressure intensified on the final turn as Jet Rock continued to surge within a half-length of The Light Speed turning for home. The duo continued to slug it out in the stretch before Jet Rock powered home in :27.2 to lunge in front by a half-length on the wire in 1:52.2 over The Light Speed. Aladdin (Stephane Brosseau) finished third. Jet Rock paid $6.30 to win as the second choice.
Now a two-time winner in 10 seasonal outings, Jet Rock is conditioned by Isabelle Darveau for owners Ecurie Csl and Les Ecuries Dorleans Inc. The eight-year-old gelded son of Rocknroll Heaven-Jet Wash has now banked $375,455 lifetime following his 36th career victory.
Guy Gagnon entered the night just under $11,000 shy of surpassing $10 million in career earnings as a trainer, a milestone he reached in the finale with a second-place effort by Make It Come True. In total, Gagnon racked up three driving victories on the Sunday card with Sportshunter, Vines To Heaven and I Ama Rocket, the last of which was also trained by Gagnon.
In addition to $10 million in earnings as a trainer, Gagnon has conditioned 1,861 winners over the course of his career, to go along with 6,096 driving victories.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)