Seeyou Men shocks in seasonal debut

Seeyou Men (Muscle Mass), a prominent Free For Aller at Rideau Carleton Raceway in recent years, struck first by winning the track’s opening Preferred Trot of the harness racing season on Wednesday (Apr. 12) in a 22-1 upset.

It was the first start of the season for Seeyou Men, along with four others in the field. He went off at long odds despite ending his 2022 campaign with two close second-place finishes.

Driver Robert Robinson tucked the gelding away and reached the quarter of :28.1 in fourth as favourite Donatover (Stephane Brosseau) made a break while vying for the lead. Duke Lavictoire (Jacques Beaudoin), on top, brought the field to the half in :58.2 and three-quarters in 1:26.4.

Seeyou Men, stowed away at the pylons, came to life as the passing lane opened up. The gelding reached top gear and dashed past Duke Lavictoire on the inside to take the victory in 1:56.4.

Duke Lavictoire narrowly held place over the closing Stella Alpha (Pascal Berube).

SEEYOU MEN REPLAY

Seeyou Men’s win was his 42nd lifetime. He was five-for-32 last year with four wins in the Rideau Carleton Preferred. He has earned $440,962 in 195 career starts for Catheline Pelletier of Mirabel and Chantal Gravel of St-Cyrille-De-Wendover. Guy Gagnon trains the 11-year-old.

Robinson earned his first win of the season. He took the lines from Gagnon, who had driven Seeyou Men in 74 consecutive starts prior to Wednesday evening. Gagnon, the leading driver at Rideau Carleton last year, instead drove another of his trainees, Moscow Moon, and finished fifth.

Brosseau and trainer John Macmillan combined for three wins.

Rideau Carleton Raceway is set to race next on Sunday, Apr. 16.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink