Driver Guy Corbeil scored a tight victory with his homebred Eclat De Rire in the $9,200 Preferred Handicap Pace at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday (Aug. 15).
Corbeil guided his charge to last in the sextet to a :26.4 quarter set by The Regulator, who proceeded to post a quick clip of :55.3 and 1:23.1. Shadow Margeaux pulled first over from third moving up the backstretch the final time and edged to a narrow lead on the pacesetter around the final turn. Meanwhile Corbeil sent Eclat De Rire from last off the pegs and ranged closer to the lead through the stretch, sliding a head in front in a 1:52.1 mile. The Regulator held for third.
A four-year-old gelding by Leader Bayama, Eclat De Rire won his 10th race from 23 starts, earning $107,424. Maxime Velaye trains the $5.60 winner.
Ripped And Ready registered a wire-to-wire victory in the $9,200 Preferred Trot. Driver Marc St Louis Jr. sent the four-year-old Muscle Mass stallion to the point while Magic Night landed into the pocket to a :26.4 first quarter. He continued under minimal challenge through a :57 half and by three-quarters in 1:26.3, and soon strolled through the stretch a 1-1/4-length winner over Magic Night in a 1:56 mile. Seeyou Men rode the pylons for third.
Owned by Dr. Ruth Irving, Ripped And Ready won his first race from five starts this season and his eighth from 26 overall, earning $121,101. Thierry Vandenplas trains the $3.90 winner.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.