Rideau record matched

Sauble Delightful unleashed a track record-equaling harness racing performance, matching the previous best time for an aged pacing mare at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday.

The six-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight sprung rapidly from the start and secured command in a matter of strides. Driver Guy Gagnon, in one of his six winners on the day, rated Sauble Delightful to :27.2, :56.2, and 1:23.3 splits as no challenger was able to reach the mare’s wheeldisc. Gagnon eased up at the 1/16th pole with the race in hand and allowed his charge to cruise to the finish in 1:52. Clodam Bayama (Jimmy Gagnon) rallied belatedly from the pocket but had to settle for place; Acefortyfour Dome (Stephane Brosseau) finished third.

Sauble Delightful replicated the record set by Lit De Rose on Aug. 23, 2020. The latter has made $578,842 and won 30 of her 87 starts. Sauble Delightful is now 15-for-68 with $117,279 in earnings. Mandy Archer trains her for Jamie Copley of Kenmore and Mark Smith of Chesterville. The record performance was a new lifetime mark for the mare who paid $3.80 to win.

Gagnon dominated the card with six wins in 10 races. He also picked up a training victory.

Racing resumes at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink