Again flying slightly under bettors’ radars, Magic Night emerged victorious at odds of 5-1 to again take the co-featured $9,200 Preferred Handicap Trot at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday (Aug. 8).
Driver Sam Fillion settled Magic Night into fourth from his assigned outside post while Capteur De Reve det a tempo of :27.2, :56.3 and 1:25.4. Fillion started his charge first over moving to the half and ranged towards the leader heading to the final turn, drawing to equal terms and the top of the stretch. Magic Night downed Capteur De Reve while withstanding a late bid from pocket-sitter Ripped And Ready, who finished a neck short of victory in a 1:55.2 mile. Capteur De Reve took third, another two lengths behind.
Co-owned by trainer Yannick Martel with Ghislaine Fontaine, Magic Night won his second race from 16 starts this season and his 21st from 129 overall, earning $372,436. The seven-year-old Kadabra gelding paid $13.20 to win.
The Light Speed sat behind the speed and shot to victory late in the $9,200 Preferred Handicap Pace. Trainer-driver Guy Gagnon positioned the three-year-old Moon Beam gelding in second while Vanilla Malted and Vegas Rocks disputed the front through a clip of :26.2, :54.4 and 1:24.2. As the pace slowed into the final turn, Gagnon readied The Light Speed for the stretch drive and darted to the front once finding clearance to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:53.2. Shadow Margeaux finished second with Sports Jacket taking third.
A homebred for Michel Nolette, The Light Speed has won six races from seven starts this season and eight from 18 overall, earning $37,883. He paid $4.40 to win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.