Spot Play – (1) – KAHLUA MORNING – Race 3
Best Bet – (2) – LUKE AND DUKE– Race 6
20-cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 1,2,5/4,6,7/2,5/2 = $3.60
20-cent Late Pick 4 – Race 11 – 2,5,6,9/2,4/9/2,6,9 = $4.80
Race 1 – (9) OHBABYWEFOUNDLOVE is the most accomplished of this field at Rideau Carleton, and in general by wins and earnings; Oct. 1, she and Tyler Jones overcame the trailing post, allowing others to set a torrid 27.1 opening quarter, then emerging from fifth with a second-over move that would take them to the front in the stretch; this is her second start in mixed company, after finishing a little-used seventh in the fog over "good" surface Nov. 26, on a night when horses who were in the top three at the half won 9 of 12 races. In his last pari-mutuel race, Sept. 22 at Pocono, (3) LIKE LIGHTNING LOU was first over from fifth en route to the three-quarters; he couldn't closely follow the cover soon provided by eventual place-finisher Territory, and ended up fifth; three-year-old now owned by driver Jacques Beaudoin makes Rideau debut following runner-up finish in his Nov. 29 Ottawa qualifier; watch for equipment changes on gelding whose easy, front-end 1:53.3 maiden victory at Pocono came with just a shadow roll; he broke stride battling for the lead to the quarter there Sept. 8, then appeared with a more elaborate bridle Sept. 22. (1) TWO FOR TRIPPING was a $17,000 yearling at the 2018 London sale, didn't race at age two, and now makes his third career start for owner/trainer Mandy Archer and driver Guy Gagnon; closed strongly in the fog Nov. 26, nearly getting past Festive Joe for show.
Race 2 – (2) ASA IM READY was overtaken late by Vero Amore Bi Nov. 29 at Rideau Carleton Nw2750l3cd level; it was the second start in a row that saw trainer John MacMillan's mare give way to a closer in the stretch; with no one in this field currently showing the late speed of deep closers Vero Amore Bi or Goaltender, she looks tough to take down on the lead; a beaten 3/5 fave last outing. (7) SIR CHOPIN is one of the three recent Hippodrome 3R Preferred-1&2 competitors in the mix; trotted home in field's-second-fastest 29.4 last week at Rideau Nw2750l3cd classification, finishing fourth to Vero Amore Bi for owner/trainer/driver Carol Voyer; half-mile track specialist. (3) KEEPALL also arrives from Hippodrome 3R following a sixth-place result in his last race, Nov. 22; he was a beaten 9/5 fave in the Preferred-1&2 Handicap, assigned the outside post position and four-wide in the early battle to make front; head-to-head with Sir Chopin to the three-quarters, he offered no resistance when that rival went by for a 1:59.1 going-away victory; only horse besides #1 Caroluzzo who isn't up in class this race.
Race 3 – (1) KAHLUA MORNING has four wins in 2020, two of them at this track; she captured the $22,100 Hard Rock Summer Claiming Series final for Guy Gagnon Sept. 13, shadowing pacesetter Chaleurs A D from the two hole and making perfect use of the passing lane; she took her lifetime-best 1:54.4 record here in a series leg August 30, the last time she drew the Rideau rail; both wins were over mixed fields of $7,000 claimers; won again from rail, Oct. 26 at Western Fair for Danielle and Marc St. Louis Jr. before making her return to trainer Mandy Archer this week. Owner/trainer Michel Allard's (5) SHEMAKSMEFELUNREAL is reunited with Richard Simard for a return to distaff competition; a gate-to-wire Rideau winner June 11 by four open lengths, the filly's other three seasonal victories were in Quebec; Nov. 19 Ottawa effort cannot be held against her, because she had #8 hole and advanced from last at the half to a three-wide third on the final turn before packing it in, and Wild River Coyotee was already opening up for the win. (2) SAGALI was also dealing with post position #8 in her previous Rideau start against males, at Op10000clm classification Nov. 29; filly with late speed had her one 2020 victory Nov. 5, when despite landing post #7 she hunted down Powered by Mach for the dead-heat; loses Pascal Berube to #4 Sieras Rose, so Tyler Jones catch drives.
Race 4 – (6) GOALTENDER earned his fifth win of the year last Thursday, overtaking leader Asa Im Ready with a late 29.3 kick; that was from Rideau Carleton post #5, so tonight's post position should pose few issues; trainer Marie Claude Auger is back in the sulky. (7) MONTANABLACKANGEL finished third to Goaltender Nov. 26 at Nw2r30000lcd classification, leading to the three-quarters before Asa Im Ready and then Marie Claude Auger's gelding went by; track condition was "good" but possibly more tiring for pacesetting trotters, because Espoir Go followed a similar template and faded in the only other trot race of the night; his 1:56.2 record still makes him the fastest winner over this track, and a versatile threat despite outer post. (4) DRONE SEELSTER in the hands of Ted McDonald has definite potential; class-dropping three-year-old was claimed Nov. 20, and broke in his Ottawa debut Nov. 26 against a similar group; he left from the rail and jumped when horses crossed over in front of him in the fog; an 8/1 winner at Western Fair's 15000clmcd classification Nov. 6, when he stayed flat despite a first-over move at the half that saw him parked out for the rest of the race; tired but found more.
Race 5 – (5) SENIOR K has had great form in his last two starts, taking charge early for tonight's driver Guy Gagnon Nov. 29 and never letting Sin City Shark (#1 this race) get close; that win was on the class jump after his Nov. 19 victory for Stephane Brosseau; other fast front-end types in this race, but none so sharp right now. (2) CASIMIR OVERDRIVE draws the best of the recent $12,000 claimers in this field; wired the competition at that level in his seasonal-best 1:53.3 performance here Sept. 27, from rail; couldn't repeat despite same inside post and return of driver Stephane Pouliot last week. (1) SIN CITY SHARK beat Senior K when he tripped out here Nov. 8, stalking and popping for Marie Claude Auger; repeated on the class climb Nov. 15 for Ryan Guy, who drives tonight; his last win was gate-to-wire and his fastest of the year (1:55.1), over a surface that was two seconds off, but he was on fumes at the end of the mile and hasn't offered much in his subsequent efforts.
Race 6 – (2) LUKE AND DUKE was overmatched in the "not listed" Preferred here Nov. 22, but he's back in a class/post where he can add to his nine seasonal victories; most of those wins were against $12,000-$15,000 Rideau Carleton claimers, although his fifth consecutive victory, back on Nov. 8, was in Op18000clm company like tonight; boxed in and "under a monster hold" to the three-quarters Nov. 29. (3) STONEBRIDGE BEACH hasn't won since Sept. 20, although he just missed in his two most recent efforts, in which he was second to Vanilla Malted; like Luke and Duke, he was trapped on the rail Nov. 29, and the rivals charged home in a field's-co-fastest 28.3 for place and show respectively; with only 2 victories in 28 tries this year, he's a safer choice for second, even without Vanilla Malted in this race. (9) ASHLEYSBEST had a tough first-over grind Nov. 29, never able to pass Vanilla Malted despite pressing him through much of the race; he understandably faded to seventh, but finds himself in a second-tier post position that's worked well for him at this venue June 18 and July 19; his off-the-pace approach gave him place and show results from post #9 on the two occasions he's had it earlier this year.
Race 7 – (7) RACEMUP nearly upset winner National Debt (#8 this race) in their Rideau Carleton "not listed" Preferred match-up Nov. 29; Vic Puddy trainee has adapted well to Ottawa, never missing the board in four starts since arriving from Western Fair Nov. 8; closed in field's-fastest 28.2 last start. (8) NATIONAL DEBT had the advantage of a five-horse field last outing, when he had the outside post position; no wins from this far out this year, but his post #7 victory on Oct. 18 put his deep-closing ability to full use, as he nosed out... (1) VANILLA MALTED, who's on a two-race win streak and now up in class; strong current form and the absence of Preferred regulars like Vegas Rocks and Kwik Talkin elevate front-end-loving pacer's chances.
Race 8 – (1) EAU NATURELLE disappointed as top choice on a foggy Nov. 26; previously, the mare looked ready to chase Batting Stats down the Rideau Carleton stretch Nov. 12, but her second-over effort fell short by three open lengths; just one of her five wins this year was at this track, back on August 13, when she and Stephane Brosseau claimed the lead early and parked the first-up Batting Stats in setting her 1:57.2 career best; Brosseau stays loyal to late speed mare who was longshot show finisher in Hippodrome 3R Preferred 1&2 Handicap Nov. 22. (4) THE MAGIC OF LIFE closed for show in Rideau Nw1600l3cd trot Nov. 26; he wasn't far behind Undercover Strike (#7 here) and winner Its Huw You Know in a personal 1:57.3 effort that matched the winning time for the race. (7) UNDERCOVER STRIKE was a narrowly-beaten 3/5 fave last start, taking control from early leader Espoir Go (#3 this race) but unable to defend against a late-closing Its Huw You Know; post position raises questions, as he was sixth from post #6 Oct. 29 for Guy Gagnon. (6) IFIHADABRAIN has been fourth in his most recent four starts, all at this track, for owner/trainer/driver Ken McFarland; winless but a dependable closer who lost ground late due to broken equipment in his latest race, back on Oct. 29. (3) ESPOIR GO and Richard Simard left well from post #6 Nov. 26, but couldn't maintain their front-end advantage over a tiring "good" surface; mare has been fourth in three consecutive Ottawa starts, and retains Simard.
Race 9 – (6) SHINE A LIGHT is 8-for-24 when it comes to seasonal victories, a 1-in-3 ratio that surpasses even that of closest rival #7 Dylans Bank, who is winning at a rate of once every 4.5 starts this year; three-year-old last won here Oct. 29, wiring Nw2r30000lcd pacers (who included a 4/5 fave Dylans Bank) before a month-long layoff; class relief from the Nw2800l3cd level he faced on comeback last week, when he was boxed in second-last at the half and closed strongly in 29.2 once he shook loose late. (7) DYLANS BANK is seeking his fourth straight win; outer post does not help his preferred front-end style, and neither does moving up in class a week after his narrowest win margin--by a nose over General Lee on Nov. 29. (9) GUINNESS PANIC has class relief from second tier; competitive Nov. 22 and 29 over this track, he's been fourth on both occasions; with so many front-end-loving types in this field, Ted McDonald's closer seems well-positioned to overtake tiring rivals dealing with challenging post positions or class hikes.
Race 10 – (5) GENESEE chased Senior K Nov. 29, ending up fourth after an overland journey for Tyler Jones; the 1:55.3 second-over effort is the best current Rideau Carleton performance by anyone in this field; Anne Marie Turenne-owned/trained pacer is winningest (seven) and fastest (1:53.1) of this group, this year. (3) CARWINS SMORE moves in from post #8; hasn't been a factor Nov. 26 or 29, however he raced on front end and hung on for place Nov. 19 in Ottawa Nw450pscd company; has been over his head class-wise or dealing with post #8 on multiple occasions, but at the $7,000 claiming level again, the $12,000 Hard Rock Simmer Claiming Series Consolation winner deserves respect. (4) DUTCH SEELSTER has lost ground late in three consecutive Rideau starts, plus a qualifier; Guy Gagnon owns, trains and drives, raising hopes but dropping odds, perhaps unrealistically.
Race 11 – (9) FLASHJACK SOLEIL was third-over from sixth at the half Nov. 22 at Hippodrome 3R; he tipped three-wide at the three-quarters, chasing 2/5 fave Soleil Gretzky to the wire; Sylvain Lacaille is back aboard pacer who was less than a length away from a win that day, but couldn't do much when last at the half for another driver Oct. 8 at Rideau Carleton; late speed. (2) DANCE MACHINE has earned respect with a pair of recent Rideau Carleton victories; Tyler Jones stays loyal to Courtney Robson trainee who draws post that's helpful to his front-end style. (6) WILD RIVER COYOTEE also likes to set the pace, although his outside post is not conducive to that tonight; tough trip Nov. 29, from post #8 in the fog.
Race 12 – (2) MYBROTHERGEORGE is down in class and retains Richard Simard, who reined him to Nov.19 Rideau Carleton Nw670pscd win; he's gained ground late in his Nov. 22 and 29 starts, and threatens to take down pacesetter/s here; shuffled back to eighth along pylons Nov. 29, Simard had him wide and flying down the stretch for fifth in a blanket finish. With the exception of his atypical seventh-place finish for Stephane Brosseau Nov. 29, (4) MACH MESSIER has been a reliable top-three Rideau finisher, yet hasn't won since Oct. 11; latest catch driver Pascal Berube is aboard the six-time seasonal winner whose closing kick hasn't been enough to get the job done, but who could be better on/near front, as he was for Tyler Jones Oct. 11, "the easiest of winners" at odds of 6/1. (3) MATTS TUITION tired in the snow Nov. 22, his last start, but closed for place or win result in his three previous efforts for trainer/driver Guy Gagnon; appears vulnerable.
Race 13 – (9) JEFFS JOURNEY was a judges' scratch here Nov. 26, due to transportation issues; this is his first start since a Nov. 22 victory at Hippodrome 3R Nw750pscd level for owner/trainer Michel Allard; successful off-the-pace trip followed disappointing Nov. 19 Rideau Carleton finish after starting from post #8 in Nw450pscd company; trailing post for four-year-old who took 1:56.1 lifetime-best mark here this year; Richard Simard stays loyal to pacer who last finished fourth for him as a beaten 2/1 fave. (1) MISTYS DELIGHT has driver change to Guy Gagnon; two wins in 2020 for 11-year-old who was a going-away Rideau winner Nov. 12 at lower Nw210pscd classification, but third as beaten 8/5 fave in this track's Nw450pscd class Nov. 26; regular reinsman Daniel Laflamme is driving #3 Singhampton Kenny, who won by over three lengths for him in Rideau Nw265pscd company Nov. 26. 2019 Manitoba Horse of the Year (5) PRAIRIE MYSTIC has Stephane Brosseau in the sulky for first Rideau start of 2020; the Hippodrome 3R invader's three seasonal wins are more than anyone else but #9 Jeffs Journey (who has four this year); third-over from back of the field at 3R Nov. 22, the back-class pacer tipped three-wide from seventh at the three-quarters but never made serious progress; class relief.
Race 14 – (9) DR SPENGLER makes second consecutive start with Lasix, from second-tier post; closed for show when selected as spot play Nov. 29; has three 2020 victories at Mohawk, most recently in a $15,000 claiming handicap August 14 for trainer Richard Moreau, who still-co-owns with current conditioner Yannick Martel; second to Sir Chopin Nov. 22 at Hippodrome 3R, he's been successful as a deep closer on the bigger track; up in class, but retains catch driver Pascal Berube another week. (2) LMC MASS GEM was third but placed second Nov. 29 in "not listed" Preferred Handicap here; with a 19-for-30 record of top-three results this year, yet only one win, the class-dropper inspires confidence as a place finisher. (6) ACE BI can close and gets class drop; trainer Pierre Bovay is back in bike after fifth-place finish for Ryan Guy in "not listed" Preferred Handicap from post #7 Nov. 29, following back-to-back Rideau wins for Bovay at similar level, from better posts. (3) SEEYOU MEN is first-time Lasix tonight, as Guy Gagnon seeks better result from Nov. 15 beaten 8/5 fave; class relief for trotter who could not convert rail to a "not listed" Preferred top-three finish in his last start. (1) VERO AMORE BI is class-climbing, following his 14/1 upset of Asa Im Ready Nov. 29; trainer/driver Mike Healey's four-time 2020 winner is versatile from inside post, but could only manage a sixth-place result from the same post Sept. 27, his second-last Preferred Handicap effort.
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Melissa Keith is a lifelong harness handicapper/bettor, Hervey/O'Brien Media Excellence Award-winning writer, and occasional racecaller. She is a contributor to TROT, Hoof Beats, Atlantic Post Calls, and Harness Racing Update, often covering topics related to wagering. Her most memorable bets include taking down the Truro Raceway Pick-7 pool for a $36 investment (it has not been offered since) and collecting $1,287 for a Woodbine Harness Pick-4 which cost a whopping $1.60.
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