Sent the longest shot on the board, Mr Contestant coasted on the lead and clung to command late to score at 28-1 in the $9,200 Preferred Handicap Trot at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday (Sept. 27).
The five-year-old Winning Mister gelding cleared command from post 2 and posted fractions of :28.2, :59 and 1:27.4 with LMC Mass Gem drafting from the pocket. Boo Thang advanced first over past the half towards the tempo setter to three-quarters but faltered into the final turn as Mr Contestant maintained control. LMC Mass Gem lunged from the pocket into the stretch while Lestenpercent lunged from the back of the field towards the lead late, but Mr Contestant held on to win in 1:56.3.
Paying $58.10 to win, Mr Contestant won his fourth race from 23 starts this season and his 14th from 78 overall, earning $181,441. John MacMillan trains and co-owns the winner with 2099551 Ontario Inc. Clarke Steacy sat in the sulky.
National Debt took the lead past the quarter and held firm to the finish as the 2-5 favourite, winning by two-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:51.2. The nine-year-old Allamerican Native stallion swept by early leader Stonebridge Beach after a :27.1 first quarter and continued to roll on the lead to a :55.2 half. Vegas Rocks mounted a first-over charge after the pacesetter coming to three-quarters in 1:23.2 but began to retreat into the final turn. Through the stretch National Debt strolled on the lead chased by Silverado, who kicked off cover to take second. Canadian Edition finished third.
Trained by Yves Tessier for owner Francois Morin, National Debt won his seventh race from 19 starts this season and his 61st from 187 overall, earning $574,875. Pascal Berube drove the $2.60 winner.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.