After a successful 2008 campaign in the Maritimes, Pownal Bay Matt made his way to Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday evening and added to his impressive resume.
The five-year-old son of Matts Scooter, who earlier this summer captured the Gold Cup & Saucer at the Charlottetown Driving Park, rolled to a 1:55.4 victory in his $8,400 conditioned assignment for owner Ian Smith and trainer Matthew MacDonald.
With Ted McDonald at the controls, the pacer sat second to the quarter pole before blasting to command and front-stepping his way to the two-length score. The Amazing Race was second and odds-on favourite Best Show In Town rounded out the top three.
Pownal Bay Matt has put together a 4-3-1 record in 13 starts this season, and he has added $46,251 to a lifetime bankroll that stands at $225,925.
In other Rideau happenings, Red Leaf Again broke out of a major slump when he stepped to a 1:55.1 victory in the $13,400 Preferred Pace. It was the first win of the season in 21 tries for the five-year-old son of Dragon Again.
In rein to Hall-of-Fame trainer/driver Jacques Hebert, Red Leaf Again was allowed to track the leaders while following cover from third-over. He sprung off cover in the lane and used a :28.3 closing panel to prevail by a half-length margin over race favourite Imjustalittleguy. Match Bayama was third.
Saul Steinfeld holds the papers on the 22-time winner, who has stashed away $122,874 in lifetime earnings.
Gutsy Volo racked up his 15th win of the season by taking Thursday's top trot – the $13,400 Preferred – in a time of 1:57.2 for trainer/driver Robbie Robinson.
The four-year-old son of Yankee Glide survived a first-over trip to win by a three-quarters of a length over SOS Starmania. Mr Garjangles, who won the last two editions of the Preferred Trot, finished third.
Brian Cassell, Jacqueline Dinelle and Sean Hibbert share ownership on the photogenic gelding, who has banked $96,858 in his career.
To view Thursday's results, click here.