Rideau Carleton Raceway's reigning leading trainer, Mandy Archer, remained hot on the 2024 season on Sunday, April 21, sweeping both $10,000 Preferreds with Meadowbranch Noble and P L Ozzy on the 11-race card.
The Preferred Trot served as the evening's third race in which Archer teamed up with Guy Gagnon aboard 1-9 favourite Meadowbranch Noble. Assigned the outside post five, Gagnon hustled Meadowbranch Noble off the gate but quickly realized Donatover and Robert Robinson had no intent on taking a seat. Gagnon nestled the bettors' choice into the pocket through a :28.2 first quarter.
The top two put distance between themselves and the remainder of the field to the halfway point in :57.2. Donatover remained firm with the throttle to three-quarters, continuing to lead to that station as Meadowbranch Noble stalked from second in 1:26.3.
On the final turn, Gagnon would sit no longer, popping the pocket to engage the leader just a half-length behind turning for home. Donatover remained determined in the lane, forcing the Meadowbranch Noble to use every bit of the stretch to to the wire a head in front in 1:56.4. Ima Standup Guy and Robert Shepherd completed the trifecta.
The victory was the third of 2024 for Meadowbranch Noble, all coming consecutively since coming to Rideau Carleton on March 24. Owned by Jamie Copley, the seven-year-old gelded son of Explosive Matter-Wen Mars Memo has now banked $245,249 for his career.
Pascal Berube hopped in the bike for Archer in the Preferred Pace, steering P L Ozzy to victory. Leaving the gate from post four in the field of six, P L Ozzy landed on the lead under Berube urging through a quick :27.4 opening quarter.
Berube tapped the brakes on the way to the half in :57 while Shotgun Jerry and Stephane Pouliot were content to sit the pocket. The pace picked up on the backstretch with P L Ozzy looking to give the field the slip as The Light Speed and Guy Gagnon made their way uncovered first-up from last into third at three-quarters in 1:25.
P L Ozzy spun out of the final turn two lengths clear of the field poised to go the distance. The Light Speed continued his rally, but P L Ozzy proved to be strong on the lead, pacing home in :28.4 to score the victory by a length in 1:53.4. Shotgun Jerry held sway for the third position.
It was the first victory of 2024 for P L Ozzy, who had been runner-up in his two prior outings this season. Owned by Jody Sanderson, Michael McKenna, Darren Smith and Dean Larkin, the six-year-old son of Sunshine Beach-Taylorlane Action is a 21-time winner in his career, having earned $239,737 lifetime.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)