Thierry Vandenplas trainee Ripped And Ready landed on the point early and kept his competition behind to score a 1:54.4 win in the $10,500 Preferred Handicap Trot on Thursday night (Aug. 4) at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Off the odds-on favourite in the field scratched to four, Ripped And Ready secured the top from post 3 to a :28 first quarter and raced uncontested to a :57.4 half. Black Tie Bash rushed first over from fourth up the backside as the tempo quickened to three-quarters in 1:26.1 and stalled as Ripped And Ready cruised around the final turn. Coming for home, Ripped And Ready maintained a length advantage of pocket-sitter Crossfit, who took second. Raising Rusty finished third and Black Tie Bash faded to fourth.
Dr. Ruth Irving owns Ripped And Ready, a five-year-old stallion by Muscle Mass. He won his 18th race from 52 starts and has now earned $195,881. Pascal Berube drove the $3.30 winner.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.