Guy Corbeil drives first winner in two years

Harness racing owner Guy Corbeil took the lines of his four-year-old gelding, Eclat De Rire, on Sunday for the Rideau Carleton Raceway Preferred Handicap and lifted the horse to victory in a photo finish.

Corbeil, driving for the third time this season, retreated the son of Leader Bayama to last in the field of six and saved ground through the :26.4 first quarter mile and :55.3 half. Eclat De Rire slid third-over approaching three-quarters in 1:23.1 but gapped his fast-advancing cover on the final turn.

Eclat De Rire closed on three-across leaders down the lane and flew by them all with a late surge, even surprising announcer Norm Borg as he won by a head in 1:52.1.

Shadow Margeaux (Ryan Guy) took second with a charge at the pylons. The Regulator (Samuel Fillion) finished third.

ECLAT DE RIRE REPLAY

Corbeil owns and bred Eclat De Rire, who has now won 10 times – including the Coupe de L’Avenir at two – and has earned $107,424 in 23 career starts. Maxime Velaye trains the four-year-old gelding. Corbeil’s last victory in the sulky came aboard El Bleu at St-Aime-Des-Lacs on Aug. 11, 2019.

Ripped And Ready used opposite tactics to take the co-featured Preferred Trot on Sunday, going wire-to-wire in 1:56 for driver Marc St. Louis and trainer Thierry Vandenplas. Ruth Irving of Russell owns Ripped And Ready, a four-year-old entire son of Muscle Mass. The stallion has earned $121,101 and has visited the winner’s circle eight times in his 26 lifetime tries.

RIPPED AND READY REPLAY

Guy Gagnon scored a grand slam to become the day’s top driver.

Rideau Carleton Raceway is scheduled to return to action on Thursday, Aug. 19.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink