Four in five for National Debt

An in-form National Debt captured his second straight harness racing Preferred Handicap Pace and fourth in his past five starts on Sunday at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

He started last under the guidance of Pascal Berube and remained in that position as Spingbridge Jim (Robert Robinson) forged to the lead in a :26.3 first quarter mile. Berube launched his stallion first up after passing that station and moved into third by the half in :56.1, but National Debt stalled as Springbridge Jim upped the tempo to three-quarters in 1:24.

National Debt rallied on the final turn and began gaining again. Springbridge Jim conceded in the stretch, and National Debt charged past to score in 1:53 while holding off second-place finisher Vegas Rocks (Guy Gagnon). Shadow Margeaux (Ryan Guy) was elevated to third due to the judges disqualifying Dylans Bank (Mike Healey) from that position for causing interference.

NATIONAL DEBT REPLAY

National Debt, who returned $7.70 to backers, has won 72 races and earned $640,839 in 209 lifetime starts. Yves Tessier trains the son of Allamerican Native for Francois Morin of Beauceville.

Seeyou Men made an unwavering move to the front to take the other Preferred contest on the card.

The trotting gelding spent the opening quarter two-wide and moved into the top spot after trudging consistently through the first station in :28.1. He felt pressure from Vero Amore Bi (Mike Healey) while carving out middle splits of :59 and 1:28.

Vero Amore Bi backed up on the final turn, and Crossfit (Guy) took his place as the main danger. Crossfit sprinted through the stretch drive, but Crossfit dug in and hit the finish line first in 1:57.3. Crossfit was a neck short in second. Flying Isa N (Berube) made late headway but only managed third.

SEEYOU MEN REPLAY

Seeyou Men ($6.70) has now won 33 of 143 lifetime outings. Gagnon also trains the nine-year-old Muscle Mass gelding for Mirabel resident Catheline Pelletier, who co-owns with the horse’s breeder, Chantal Gravel of St-Cyrille-De-Wendover.

Gagnon kicked off a natural hat trick with his win aboard Seeyou Men. The driver piloted Mcjagersonthemove (1:57.1) and Take The Deal (1:54) to victories in the eighth and ninth races, respectively.

Rideau Carleton Raceway’s next race date is Thursday, Jul. 29.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink