Driver Todd Warren worked out a perfect second over trip aboard Lemon Candy to edge out the favourite for a 16-1 upset in the $13,000 Preferred Handicap Trot on Friday night at Rideau Carleton Raceway
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Longshot Paddington (Stephane Pouliot) took command of the field from the inside post position while Mystical Ryan (John MacDonald) made a break at the start of the second race feature. As Paddington reached the first quarter mark in :29.2, Strong Hope (Denis St. Pierre) angled off the pylons from third in front of Lemon Candy and Watkins (Gord Brown) but made a costly break.
Favourite Watkins launched his own first over bid after the :59.4 half-mile mark with Lemon Candy following suit. The 4-5 bettor's choice went head-to-head with the pacesetter past three-quarters in 1:28.2 and took over command around the final turn, but Lemon Candy unleashed a :28.4 final frame to get up in time to snag the victory by a head in 1:57.3. Paddington finished over three lengths behind in third.
Lemon Candy paid $35.20 as the second longest shot on the board. The five-year-old son of Kadabra-Lemon Mills picked up his fourth win in 23 seasonal starts for trainer-owner Christine Davignon of Charlemagne, Que. The lion's share of the purse pushed his earnings to $33,613 for the year and $115,730 lifetime.
For results from Friday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Friday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.