Four for Gagnon at Rideau

Harness racing horseman Guy Gagnon collected four victories on the nine-race program at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday (Aug. 22).

He opened his account in race two with his trainee Ciel Bleu (Muscle Mass), crushing by eight-and-a-half lengths in 1:57. It was the six-year-old gelding’s first win since entering Gagnon’s barn four weeks ago.

CIEL BLEU REPLAY

Gagnon doubled up in race three with Mach Art In Motion (Mach Three), setting him up second-over and kicking him off cover three-wide coming down the backstretch. Mach Art In Motion then battled to the front to win by a length-and-a-half in 1:54.2. It was a victory first off the claim for trainer Mandy Archer. The eight-year-old gelding has 20 career wins and $202,342 in earnings.

MACH ART IN MOTION REPLAY

Beach Journey (Net Ten Eom) took over in the second quarter and went all the way from there to give Gagnon a driving triple and training double in the seventh. The eight-year-old mare was home in 1:55.1 for her 44th lifetime win.

BEACH JOURNEY REPLAY

Gagnon completed his grand slam in the finale, getting Meadowbranch Noble (Explosive Matter) to the top after coming uncovered on the backstretch. The gelding pulled alongside Match Meif You Can (Sam Fillion) and clawed past him down the stretch to score by a half-length in 1:56.4. The win was Meadowbranch Noble’s 18th lifetime. He was stepping down from the Preferred level for trainer Mandy Archer.

MEADOWBRANCH NOBLE REPLAY

Gagnon leads all drivers at Rideau Carleton for the year with 92 wins, 40 clear of Pascal Berube in second.

Racing continues at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, Aug. 25.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink