The winning streak is now three-in-a-row and counting for Sportsillustrator thanks to his front-stepping triumph in Thursday’s $14,700 Hard Rock Gals Series at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
The trip was a challenging one for Sportsillustrator, who sat parked through panels of :27, :56.1 and 1:25.4 for driver Stephane Brosseau. Mccovey Cove N was on the lead during those intervals, but backed away abruptly in the late stages off the mile. Sportsillustrator dug in despite the rough trip and her :31.1 closing speed was enough to earn her the win by a head over Olivias Way in 1:57. Rounding out the Trifecta ticket was Donna Party.
Owned and trained by Matthew McDonald of Edwards, Ont., the six-year-old daughter of Sportswriter-Matt N Mouse improved this year’s record to 7-1-6 from 30 trips to the track.
Trainer Jamie Copley enjoyed another banner night thanks to a three-win performance on the 10-race card.
He watched Richard Simard guide Virgin Gold to a 1:56.3 score in Race 5 followed by a front-stepping triumph with Michelles Deuce in Race 6. Guy Gagnon mapped out the winning trip for the veteran mare who halted the teletimer in 1:56.1.
Marie Auger rallied Stonebridge Focus to a 1:56.3 win in Race 9, and in doing so gave Jamie Copley the training triple on the card.
The conditioner is 53-for-202 this season good for a UTR of .377.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Rideau Carleton Raceway.