Solid start for Rideau Preferred contender

Duke Lavictoire (Royalty For Life), a Preferred-level gelding at Rideau Carleton Raceway for most of last year, won his seasonal debut in a conditioned harness racing contest on Thursday (Apr. 25).

The gelding cut the mile unopposed for Pascal Berube and held off The Magic Of Life (Robert Robinson) and pocket-sitter Raising Rusty (Stephane Pouliot) for the win in 1:58. The Magic Of Life was short by a neck but took second over Raising Rusty.

DUKE LAVICTOIRE REPLAY

Duke Lavictoire, trained by Andre Lachance, raced 22 times in the Preferred ranks last season and missed a cheque only once. The six-year-old has now won 22 of 67 starts and has earned $133,141 for Suzanne Lavictoire of Ste-Anne De Prescott.

Berube was the night’s winningest driver with three tallies.

Racing at Rideau Carleton Raceway continues on Sunday, Apr. 28. The 11-race card, starting at 6:30 p.m. EDT, will feature a Preferred Handicap Trot.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink