Driver Guy Gagnon drove winners in three of the five divisions of the Summer Sunset Claiming Series second preliminary at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, Sept. 16.
Gagnon visited the winner's circle in the first race after taking Beach Boy wire to wire in the first of two divisions for $15,000 claimers. The Dany Fontaine-trainee paced a 1:54.4 mile and held off a first-over challenge from second-place finisher Zingers Laugh in the backstretch. Cams Lucky Sam finished third.
Yannick Marquis and Maxim Gagnon own Beach Boy, a seven-year-old gelding by Jennas Beach Boy. Winning for the seventh time in 26 starts this season and the 30th in 131 overall, Beach Boy has earned $131,863 and paid $9.80 to win.
E R Rhonda gave Gagnon a sweep of the $15,000 claiming divisions with a first-over 1:54 victory by three-quarter lengths over pacesetter Mister Big Top and rail-rider Cheyenne Moishe respectively.
Owned by Catheline Pelletier and Daniel Martin, E R Rhonda, a seven-year-old mare by Moon Beam, gave Gagnon his first of three training victories on the card. The $3.50 victor collected her 11th win in 31 starts this season and her 34th in 142 overall, earning $164,291.
Gagnon's third driving victory came in the final division for $10,000 claimers with Cliff Drummond from his stable. The 10-year-old gelding by Leader Bayama won going wire to wire in 1:55.1 over Bet Till Dawn rallying from second over for second and pocket-sitter Code Word in third.
Cliff Drummond races for Ecuries Guy Gagnon Inc. and Yves Ringuet. The $4.90 winner took his seventh victory in 29 starts and his 42nd in 223 overall, earning $234,446.
Gagnon's third training win came with Cobalt Man, a wire-to-wire winner in a $6,500 conditioned pace as the 2-5 favourite in 1:53.2. The 10-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding returned $2.70 to win.
Mister Godro bested 2-5 favourite Sunday Poker in the first $10,000 claiming division by four-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:54. Driven by Richard Simard, the five-year-old Mister Big stallion sat fourth as Glass Shadow set the pace and Sunday Poker soon gave pursuit first over. Mister Godro tipped second over by three-quarters and surged by and drew clear around the final turn.
Owned by 9267 7327 Quebec Inc., Mister Godro won his fourth race in 29 starts and his 14th in 72 overall, earning $53,131. The Charles Gaudreault trainee paid $15.50 to win.
Sent the odds-on favourite, Macktwowilldew won the second $10,000 claiming division going wire to wire in 1:54.4. Owned by Francois Morin, the nine-year-old Mach Three gelding encountered no threat on the lead and coasted to the line as Genesee, putting in a mild first-over bid, took second ahead of second-over Bettim Chris. The Yves Tessier trainee won his 12th race in 30 starts and his 36th in 200 overall, earning $154,257. Pascal Berube drove the $2.60 winner.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carlton Raceway