Duke Lavictoire destroys Rideau rivals

Duke Lavictoire (Royalty For Life) eased to harness racing victory the Preferred Handicap Trot at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday (Jul. 13), defeating four-time winner Black Tie Bash by a wide margin.

Pascal Berube pushed the gelding to the top in a :28.4 first panel and fended off a mid-mile march from Donatover (Stephane Brosseau), who quickly retreated.

The leader exploded away from his opponents in the third quarter, taking an eight-and-a-quarter-length lead. Black Tie Bash (Robert Shepherd) made belated gains in the last quarter, but Duke Lavictoire sauntered to a six-and-a-half-length victory in 1:54.3.

Black Tie Bash was second, a length-and-a-half ahead of the closing Raising Rusty (Stephane Pouliot).

The win also came with a milestone for Duke Lavictoire – six digits in earnings. The gelding has raked in $102,141 and won 19 times in 51 lifetime starts. Andre Lachance trains the gelding for Suzanne Lavictoire.

Guy Gagnon was the day’s top driver with four victories.

More racing is scheduled for Sunday, Jul. 16 at Rideau Carleton Raceway. First post is set for 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink