Pacing veteran National Debt returned to the Rideau Carleton Raceway winner’s circle on Sunday (Feb. 27) with another win in the $10,500 Preferred Handicap Pace.
Off a 1:56.2 victory a week ago, driver Pascal Berube employed similar tactics with National Debt and sat back while The Light Speed carved fractions of :29, :57.4 and 1:27.3. Outkast Blue Chip moved first over from fifth heading to the half, giving the 11-year-old Allamerican Native stallion cover to follow on the final circuit. With Outkast Blue Chip forging to the lead off the final turn, National Debt fired off his live tow and surged to the front late, passing pocket-popper Lovemyrockinbird to win by a neck in 1:56.3. Outkast Blue Chip settled for third and The Light Speed held fourth.
Owned by Francois Morin, National Debt won his 82nd race from 229 starts, lifting his earnings to $700,493. Yves Tessier trains the $6.20 winner.
Seeyou Men scored a pocket-popping victory in the co-featured $10,500 Preferred Handicap Trot a few races later, stopping the clock in 1:57.4.
Clearing command to a :28.1 first quarter, Seeyou Men yielded control to Crossfit past the stands first time and sat on the leader’s helmet to a :58 half and to three-quarters in 1:28.1 before creeping off the pegs at the bottom of the last turn. The 10-year-old Muscle Mass gelding dug into Crossfit through the lane and, despite broken equipment, edged a half length in front to claim victory. Raising Rusty rallied from second over for third while The Magic Of Life, racing a first-over trip, took fourth.
Owned by Catheline Pelletier and Chantal Gravel, Seeyou Men won his 38th race from 165 starts, pushing his earnings to $386,128. Guy Gagnon trains and drove the $2.60 winner.
Trainer Mike Armstrong scored a hat trick on the 14-race card. He opened festivities with a win by J J Patrick ($38) and followed with a win later by Angels Kid ($3.70) before completing the triple late in the card with Vines To Heaven ($4.90).
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Rideau Carleton Raceway.