Driver Richard Simard stole the spotlight at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday (August 6) with a five-win performance, including a victory in one of the evening's main events aboard Ghirardelli Lindy.
Simard drove Ghirardelli Lindy to a repeat win in the weekly $6,650 Winners Over Handicap Trot co-featured on the 14-race program.
Commissioner Daley (Guy Gagnon) trotted out to the lead in the early going, posting a :28.1 first quarter before Ghirardelli Lindy cleared to command. However, Commissioner Daley quickly took back the top spot on the way to the half in :57.2 and proceeded to three-quarters in 1:27.2. With 3-2 favourite Raising Richard (Darrell Coville) fading first-over and Unabating (Stephane Brosseau) rallying out three-wide, Ghirardelli Lindy emerged from the pocket turning for home. He went by Commissioner Daley in the stretch and prevailed by half a length over the quick-closing Unabating in 1:57.4.
Sent postward as the 3-1 second wagering favourite, Ghirardelli Lindy paid $8.50 to win.
Robert Dube trains the eight-year-old Chocolatier gelding, who has won four of his last five starts, for owner Saul Mendelson of Montreal, Que.
In addition to winning with Ghirardelli Lindy, Simard guided the streaking sophomore trotter Stellas Boy ($3.30) and pacing mare Bettim Jenny ($2.90) to a pair of victories for the Gary McDonald stable, and scored with Lyons Meandragon ($4.80) for trainer Jamie Copley and Innovative Force ($4.40) for Gerard Vaillancourt. He currently ranks among the top three local drivers this season with 49 wins at Rideau.
The co-featured $6,950 Winners Over Handicap for pacers was won by the front-striding Bestofbest Hanover, who is campaigned by Melanie Plourde.
The nine-year-old son Western Hanover seized the led during a :27.2 opening quarter and never looked back. He passed the half in :57 and turned back a backstretch challenge from Ufdragons Rocket after the 1:25 third quarter mark, drawing off by more than three lengths to earn his second win of the year in 1:52.4.
Bestofbest Hanover returned $10.50 to win as the 4-1 third wagering choice. Atomic Million AM (Jonathan Lachance) followed in the pocket to finish second and Officially Rusty (Richard Simard) edged out Ufdragons Rocket and 3-2 favourite Nobettorplacetobe (Guy Gagnon) for third prize.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.