I Ama Rocket secured his second straight victory of the season, scoring in gate-to-wire fashion in the $10,000 Preferred Pace, which highlighted the 10-race Sunday, Aug. 18 card at Rideau Carleton Raceway. Meanwhile, Mythic Gambler steamrolled to his fourth straight victory on the year, matching the track record for older pacing geldings in the process.
Scratched down to a field of four, I Ama Rocket and driver Guy Gagnon wrestled the lead away in an early scuffle with Early Action (Ryan Guy) to reach the quarter first in a quick :26.4. The quartet would mind their manners on the way to the half, with I Ama Rocket leading to that station unchallenged in :56.1. Gagnon hit the gas on the backstretch, leading to three-quarters in 1:23.2 while 3-5 favourite Jet Rock (Robert Shepherd) tipped from third.
Jet Rock moved into second with the leader in his sights as I Ama Rocket cut the quarter 2-1/2 lengths clear. Jet Rock continued to close with every stride in the lane, but I Ama Rocket gamely reached the wire first a half-length in front in 1:51.4. Early Action would hold for the show spot.
Gagnon also trains I Ama Rocket (pictured above), who is a four-time winner in 24 outings this season for owner Louise Ricard. Following the 39th victory in his career, the eight-year-old gelded son of Custard The Dragon-Machs Rocket sports a career bankroll of $398,121.
I Ama Rocket paid $5.60 to win as the 9-5 second choice.
Mythic Gambler immediately followed the preferred pacers with a speed display of his own, winning his fourth straight on the year in track record-equalling time.
Sent off as the 1-5 favourite in $7,800 conditioned company, driver Robert Shepherd landed Mythic Gambler in the pocket while Day Delight (Jimmy Gagnon) led to the quarter in :27.2. The fired-up 23-1 shot led to the half loose on the lead in :55.1 while Mythic Gambler stalked from second. Mythic Gambler closed the gap under Shepherd urging before tipping out and challenging the leader at three-quarters in 1:22.3.
Mythic Gambler grabbed a short lead turning for home a half-length in front of a stubborn Day Delight. Day Delight proved tough this his inside, but Mythic Gambler finally wore the foe down late in the lane with a :27.4 final quarter to edge clear by 1-1/4 lengths and stop the clock in 1:50.3.
Trained by Catherine Girard, the lightly raced six-year-old has won five of eight on the year, with each of those wins coming in his last six outings. The gelded son of Bettors Delight-Mythical has won 10 of 14 lifetime, having only missed the board once while banking $37,992 for owner Kozen Farms.
The career-best effort also matched the track record for older pacing geldings. The original mark was established by triple millionaire Boulder Creek in September of 2007, before being matched in 2010 by Priceless Edition.
The win was one of two driving wins on the card for Shepherd, who was matched with two by Jimmy Gagnon. Guy Gagnon and Ryan Guy led the way with three driving victories.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)