Driver Guy Gagnon used the same strategy to sweep the Winners Over Handicaps, rallying both Unabating and Viper Select from last to first-place finishes in back-to-back races on Sunday night (July 24) at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Assigned the outside seven-post in both $6,650 top class events, Gagnon had the early trailers Unabating and Viper Select circling up three-wide to take the lead at the third quarter mark in their respective trotting and pacing divisions.
Trained by Gerard Demers for owner Catheline Pelletier of Mirabel, Que., even-money favourite Unabating was victorious in 1:57 by one and a quarter lengths, with Four Starz Speed following the eight-year-old Broadway Hall gelding's wide-sweeping move from the backfield to come on for second while What A Rush checked in third. Unabating has now won four of his last five starts.
Viper Select drew away down the stretch to win by two lengths in 1:53.3 as the 2-1 favourite, with Mr Massimo finishing second off a ground-saving trip ahead of A And C Artist. The 11-year-old Dauntless Bunny gelding has now won back-to-back races for owner/trainer Denis Guindon of Carleton Place, Ont.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.