Career day for Ryan Guy

Harness racing driver Ryan Guy had a memorable afternoon in the sulky on Thursday at Rideau Carleton Raceway as the 25-year-old won four straight races to secure his first driving grand slam.

Guy capped off his quadruple in the conditioned feature event with a backside move to second and a burst up the cones in the stretch to win with Reys N A Rocket.

Guy withdrew Reys N A Rocket from the leaving group and settled the mare into fourth, which quickly became third as the heavily favoured Thinkingofyoubabe (Guy Gagnon) jumped off stride going into the first turn. Reys N A Rocket stayed on a helmet through the opening quarter mile in :28.3 and moved first-over after the half in :58.3.

Guy found a gap and tucked Reys N A Rocket into second, bided his time through the third quarter in 1:26.3, took the passing lane route entering the stretch. The mare gobbled up ground and soared past the leader to win going away in 1:55.1. Jans Legacy (Stephane Brosseau), who led until the final 1/16th of a mile, finished second. Y C Easy (Sylvan Fillion) was third.

REYS N A ROCKET REPLAY

The winner paid $10.60.

Reys N A Rocket created her own streak of four with that victory, winning for a fourth consecutive start. The seven-year-old daughter of Mattarocket has won 37 of her 132 career starts and earned $208,867. Victor Puddy trains for Limco Inc. of Chatauguay, which claimed the mare in her previous start.

Guy’s first victory of the grand slam was almost nullified, as the judges lit the inquiry sign shortly after he won the second race with Barrys Shelby. Following a six-minute review, though, the officials ruled that the driver did not violate any racing rules and the 1:57.1 victory stood. Guy then won the third race in 1:56 with a third-quarter brush aboard Village Jamie and the fourth with Stormont Muffin (1:59), who gained eight lengths in the final quarter.

Guy made his first pari-mutuel start in April 2017, which he won. He is a resident of South Mountain, Ontario.

Stephane Brosseau also had a good day in the bike with three victories.

John Macmillan dominated among the conditioners as he visited the winner’s circle thrice.

Rideau Carleton Raceway’s next card is scheduled for Sunday, Jun. 20 at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink