Victor Puddy trainee Crossfit cleared to the front and never looked back on Sunday (Nov. 28) at Rideau Carleton Raceway, taking the $9,200 Preferred Handicap Trot in 1:55.3.
Driver Marie Claude Auger grabbed the top from post 4 with the five-year-old Donato Hanover gelding while odds-on choice Ripped And Ready failed to find a spot to the pylons through a :27.4 first quarter. The favourite pressed forward, parked into a :57 half, before faltering up the backside while Crossfit cruised on a nearly two-length lead. By three-quarters in 1:26.4, Crossfit kicked away from pocket-sitter Gloire Dream around the final turn and strolled through the stretch to win by 1-3/4 lengths at the beam. Gloire Dream held second, Fit Bitt closed for third and Seeyou Men took fourth.
Owned by Gordon Mc Donald and Christopher Boland, Crossfit won his seventh race from 31 starts this season and his 19th from 81 overall, earning $210,356. He paid $7.80 to win.
The Coville Cup continued into the Sunday program at Rideau Carleton with two divisions contested for the eighth preliminary. William Roy wired his rivals in the first split with Sam Mckee Hanover ($2.30), posting a four-length victory in 1:57 over fast-closing Ptitebouledechafra and driver Darcy Clancy. Drew Smyth and Thats Some Plan finished third with Fern Hill Flight and Bernard Lavigne taking fourth. Sam Mckee Hanover’s win came in the middle of a Sunday hat trick for trainer Mandy Archer, who won in the race prior with Pack Your Bags ($3.70) and in the nightcap with Four Finger Floyd ($2.20).
Similar speed tactics landed Joshua Miller in the winner’s circle of the second Coville Cup division, steering Western Phil to a 5-1/2-length romp in 1:54.3. Daniel Laflamme sat a pocket trip with Ferrarifever to take second while Barn One and Gordon Ley gave chase from third and Keystone Prestige grabbed fourth for driver Andrew Moore.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.