Live harness racing returned to Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday evening (February 18) for a 12-race program to start the 2018 season during which driver Louis-Philippe Roy teamed up with trainer Yves Tessier and owner Francois Morin to sweep the co-featured Preferred events as part of a five-win performance.
Claimed for $18,750 following back-to-back wins at Woodbine, Upvote Hanover extended his win streak for his new connections with a front-end effort in the $8,100 Not Listed Preferred Handicap Trot. Parked through a :27.3 first quarter after leaving from outside his five rivals, the favoured four-year-old Kadabra gelding cleared to command in front of the grandstand and marched onward through middle splits of :57.3 and 1:27.1 en route to a two and a half length victory in 1:56.2. Ghirardelli Lindy held for second-place off a pocket trip and Jetcrest nabbed the third-place honours in a close finish.
In the $8,250 pacing division, Ufdragons Rocket settled into the pocket spot after an early three-way battle for the lead during the :26.4 opening quarter and followed Wildcat Cam while that foe faced mounting pressure on top through a half in :56.4 and three-quarters in 1:25.1 from favourite Vegas Rocks. However, Ufdragons Rocket fanned three-high off the final turn and drew off to win in 1:53.4. The nine-year-old Dragon Again gelding won by three lengths with Windsun Cheyenne closing from last for the runner-up role ahead of Vegas Rocks.
The top class victories completed a triple on the card for Tessier and Morin, and were also part of a big night in the Ottawa area for Roy, who ended with five driving wins. Meanwhile, driver Guy Gagnon and trainer Jamie Copley, the 2017 Rideau leaders, paired up for three wins with Gagnon adding another victory driving his own trainee After Market for a season-opening grand slam.
The first winners of the year at the capital city oval were the Sharon Christie-trained trotter Raising Richard and driver Darrell Coville.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.