First win at 44th time of asking

Incredible Hall (Angus Hall) got a long-awaited taste of victory – just barely – as the four-year-old broke his maiden in start number 44 on Thursday (Jul. 28) at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

The gelding vied for the early lead but capitulated to a stubborn Rolling In Clover (Guy Gagnon) and dropped in the pocket as the latter trotted to the quarter in :28.2. Honey Bee First (Pascal Berube) brushed to the top before reaching the halfway point in :57.4 and came under pressure from first-up Incredible Hall going to three-quarter in 1:26.4.

The leader held the challenger a length-and-a-half back turning for home, but the gelding pressed on. Incredible Hall surged past the Honey Bee First in unison with inside closer Current Danger (Jimmy Gagnon) in deep-stretch and reached the finish a nose in front to win in 1:57.3.

Current Danger finished second. Honey Bee First was beaten three-quarters of a length in third.

INCREDIBLE HALL REPLAY

Driver/trainer Smyth picked up his second career win in the sulky with the victory. Incredible Hall, owned by Paul Smyth of Metcalfe, has earned $40,396 in his 44 starts.

Also on the card, nine-year-old Carnivore mare Howmacfiesty reached $300,000 in career earnings. The veteran captured the sixth race in 1:55 with Robert Shepherd aboard for owner/trainer Robert Bernicky of L’Ange-Gardien. It was the mare’s 43rd win in 233 lifetime outings.

Racing resumes at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, Jul. 31. A Preferred Handicap Pace highlights the 10-race card, which begins at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink