Maximus Deo and Akoya shared the Sunday headlines once again at Rideau Carleton Raceway, defeating the top trotters and pacers on the grounds to earn their third straight victories.
Owned and trained by Chelsea Knapp, Maximus Deo ($3.70) was a strong wire-to-wire winner in the $6,650 Winners Over Handicap Trot, stopping the clock in 1:57.1 with a two-plus length advantage over late-closer Raising Richard (Rheo Filion) and pocket-sitter Jamigo (Guy Gagnon). Driver Richard Simard teamed up with the five-year-old Muscles Yankee gelding for the win.
Elisabeth Pothier's homebred Akoya ($3) was one of four winners on the program for driver Louis-Philippe Roy, also leading from start to finish in the $6,800 Winners Over Handicap Pace. The six-year-old Electric Stena gelding won by nearly two lengths in 1:54 over the pylon-skimming Team Edward (Brett MacDonald), who out-finished pocket-pursuer The Love Bug (Gord Brown).
Rideau's top trainer Gerard Demers added to his season-leading win total during the 12-race program, teaming up with driver Guy Gagnon for three victories with Santana Sass ($3.60), Playing For Keeps ($4.70), and Lutetia Semalu ($10.50). His stable has now earned 68 victories at the Ottawa oval in 2016.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.