After struggling in the Gold Series through the middle of the season, three-year-old trotting colt Northern Bullet dropped down to the Grassroots program and logged the quickest of four divisions at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday evening.
In rein to Yves Filion, Northern Bullet fired to the front from Post 1 and carved fractions of :28.2, :57.3 and 1:26.1 on his way to a personal best 1:55.4. The Muscle Mass son had not visited the winner’s circle since capturing his Gold Series leg at Western Fair Raceway on May 28. The performance equaled Claudius Augustus’ track record for three-year-old trotting colts.
Richard Moreau trains Northern Bullet for 9174 7998 Quebec Inc. of St-Janvier-Mirabel, QC and Les Ecuries Bruce of Piedmont, QC. The colt bested fan favourite Crosbys Clam Bake and Muscle On Broadway.
The favourites came up trumps in the next two $18,000 divisions, with Loco Caballo and driver Scott Coulter posting a 1:59.2 result for trainer Blair Burgess and owners Robert Burgess of Campbellville and Karin Olsson Burgess of Milton in the fourth race, and Super Duke and Brad Forward hitting the wire in 1:57.3 for trainer William James and owners W G James Stables Ltd. of Blackstock and Paul and Carol Secord of Bowmanville in the eighth.
The final division was captured by Massive Man in 1:59. The Muscle Mass son hit the wire two lengths ahead of Cabertoss, owned by William Murray, Jr. of Mountain, and Just Make Believe. Trevor Henry piloted Massive Man to his first lifetime win for trainer Tony Alagna and owners Aaron Waxman of Burlington, Alan Alber of Thornhill, John Carver of Bettendorf, IA and Eagles Soar Partners of Staten Island, NY.
The top 10 point earners from the regular season, including Loco Caballo and Super Duke, will now begin preparations for the Sept. 21 Grassroots Championships at Mohawk Racetrack.
Thursday’s regular season finale also wrapped Rideau Carleton Raceway’s 2013 Ontario Sires Stakes season, which saw the Ottawa oval host three Gold and two Grassroots legs.
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To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Rideau Carleton Raceway.