Mythic Gambler, making his eighth straight start as the favourite, lived up to the public’s expectations as he rolled first-up to victory in the $10,000 Preferred Handicap Pace at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, August 3.
Robert Shepherd guided the gelding into the four-hole from the farthest-out post six and kept him on the cones as I Ama Rocket (Guy Gagnon) drove on to lead past the quarter in :27.1. Mythic Gambler began to roll after the half in :55.2, advancing through three-quarters in 1:22.4 with I Ama Rocket 2-1/2 lengths in front. I Am A Rocket held his lead around the final turn but was unable to hold off Mythic Gambler, who muscled past him in deep-stretch to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.1. I Ama Rocket was second with Stonebridge Hermes (Ryan Guy) three lengths further back in third.
Mythic Gambler won his fifth race in nine outings this year and is four-for-eight in the Rideau Preferred. Catherine Girard trains the seven-year-old for Kozen Farms of La Prairie, Que. The Bettors Delight-Mythical gelding’s career totals now stand at 17 victories and $85,292 in earnings in 28 starts. He returned $2.50 to win.
Sea Laird received the only claim in leg one of the Hard Rocking Summer Claiming Series and delivered a strong sendoff performance for his connections, wiring the field in 1:55.1. After turning away two early challengers for the lead, he rattled off fractions of :28, :58.2, and 1:26.2 before storming home a 1-3/4-length winner over Beach Cowboy (Auger). No Time At All (Pascal Berube) was third. The winner paid $10.40.
Driven by Michel Lagace and trained by Sylvain Cote, who owned the gelding together, Sea Laird won for the fifth time in 19 starts this year as he took the $6,000 event for $10,000 claimers. The nine-year-old son of Custard The Dragon-Devil Likes It Hot will make his next start for owners Darren and Duane Tingley.
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)