Best Bet – (6) HOOTER SHOOTER – Race 8
Spot Play – (3) ALWAYSYOURWAY – Race 5
20-cent Early Pick 4 – Race 3 – 1,4,5,9/4,5,9/1,3,5/1,2 = $14.40
20-cent Middle Pick 4 – Race 7 – 3,5/2,6/3,4,6/1,4,6 = $7.20
20-cent Late Pick 4 - Race 12 – 3,6,9/1,2,5/5,9/3,6 = $7.20
Race 1 – (5) WILD RIVER COYOTEE has had bad luck with Rideau Carleton draws lately; lands last Sunday's second-best post position tonight, after starting from post #7 in his three seasonal starts to date; he and trainer/driver Guy Gagnon were already three-wide from third on the first turn, chasing gate-to-wire leader Dylans Bank on a night when only 4 of 15 winners were successful from off the pace. (7) SHEMAKSMEFELUNREAL finished second in her 2021 debut here Feb. 7, tagging along behind winner Dylans Bank the entire mile; Michel Allard-owned/trained mare has challenging post, but Samuel Fillion has been hitting board with impressive frequency, making the top three in 5 of 8 drives last Sunday (including with this mare). (2) MAGNUS SEELSTER is back from Mohawk, where he's been a credible 2&3nw1r7000l performer last year, but struggled more recently when facing 15000clmcd pacers; reunited with Claude Larose, who was in the bike for all of his 2020 Rideau races; hit board in 3 of his 6 starts at this track, never missing a cheque, but never getting the win, either.
Race 2 – (2) GOLDEN DYNAMITE has Stephane Brosseau aboard, which is significant because Brosseau drove two trotters for trainer John MacMillan here March 7, finishing second with 9/5 Asa Im Ready and winning at 25/1 with Mr Contestant; started 2020 strongly at Mohawk before layoff until June, due to race cancellations; his late speed let him break leaving, then catch field and win at Mohawk Jan. 27, 2020; as name suggests, class-dropper could be golden in seasonal debut if he doesn't self-destruct. (3) RAISING RUSTY's last win was at Rideau Carleton Nw2r30000lcd classification Dec. 13; he beat tonight's #8 Goaltender with a stalking trip, third behind early pacesetter Montanablackangel, followed by winning a first-over battle--and the race--on the final turn. (8) GOALTENDER closed in a field's-fastest 30.3 March 7 in Rideau Nw2750l3cd, finishing narrowly second to now-absent winner Undercover Strike; trainer/driver Marie Claude Auger handles formidable closer from a tough outside post; class relief.
Race 3 – (1) DELLAS BOY made debut for new trainer Vic Puddy in last Sunday's Rideau Carleton Nw10000lcd, from post #7; he was a couple of lengths behind the gate at the start; second over from seventh at the half, the 5-year-old had to go three-wide around the tiring cover of Sagali (#9 tonight) but closed strongly for Ryan Guy. (9) SAGALI dead-heated for win in Rideau distaff Nw1r8500l from post #8 (with one scratch to her inside) Nov. 5, then finished second a week later from post #9, at higher level; she's a closer who ended up parked for the entire mile last week; latest catch driver Marie Claude Auger returns for better chance from trailing post. (5) WINDSONG QUINCY is a lightly-raced class-dropper making his first Ottawa, and sixth career, start; it's also his debut for Mandy Archer, who teamed up with Guy Gagnon for 5 top-three finishes including two winners here March 7.
Race 4 – Liked (9) SENIOR K for place here March 7; that's where the beaten fave finished, courtesy of a stalking trip in rein to Guy Gagnon, who drives #5 Sin City Shark this race; narrow defeat by the now-absent Twin B Fearless is no strike against this field's winningest horse of 2020 (six wins); he's back after claim, with catch driver Richard Simard...who drove Twin B Fearless to victory in their most recent match-up; up in class; trailing post. (4) PLAYIN FOR KEEPS makes second start in a row with Lasix; only six races last year, but 13-year-old managed a Rideau 7000clmcd victory March 15; tonight's driver Pascal Berube was aboard for gelding's show finish in seasonal debut here last Sunday. (5) SIN CITY SHARK qualified March 6, after finishing an uncharacteristic eighth in Rideau 10000clm company Feb. 21; class relief from a helpful post tonight; five-time 2020 winner gets catch driver Guy Gagnon, but has yet to hit board since Feb. 16 claim.
Race 5 – (3) ALWAYSYOURWAY drops down in class; Richard Simard picks up drive on recently-claimed gelding who captured third leg of 2020 Brian Jerome Memorial Claiming Series for him Oct. 25; front-end-loving gelding was parked fifth through much of his March 7 effort, which did not play to his strengths on a speed-favouring night. (5) BET TILL DAWN exceeded expectations with his March 7 Rideau Carleton show finish for Mike Healey; sent off at 17/1, he fended off other closers in the stretch, chasing 10000clm gate-to-wire winner SOS Justified (#1 this race) and first-over runner-up General Lee. (1) SOS JUSTIFIED is too good not to include; a 14-time winner last year, he wired similar company March 7 for Richard Simard, who drives this race's top selection here; cautious about prospects tonight because he's changed barns and debuts for new driver, Jacques Beaudoin; fourth in only start from Rideau rail last season (Nov. 8).
Race 6 – (2) SASKABUSH STEVE was second to Farmers Tan (#5 this race) March 7 at Rideau Carleton Nw650pscd classification; Guy Gagnon stays loyal to Manitoba-bred who closed impressively from seventh in a field's-co-fastest last quarter (29 flat) last Sunday. (1) TWOMACSONEMACH was a strong front-end winner for Marie Claude Auger Feb. 16 at this track's Nw610pscd classification; class drop to similar condition tonight, after struggling from post #8 March 7. (5) FARMERS TAN wired the field in last week's race 12; it was first start for Samuel Fillion, who drives again tonight; #3 Reddit Hanover will make it tougher to grab early lead tonight, from post position outside of that rival and this race's top selection.
Race 7 – (5) LESTENPERCENT disappointed as Rideau Carleton March 7 Best Bet selection; last at the half, he closed in a field's-co-fastest 29.1, but only managed a sixth-place result for regular reinsman Rodney La Framboise; flying four-wide down the stretch, they were no match for Stephane Brosseau's passing lane move with Mister Contestant, (this race, he's assigned post #7); conservative drives on forwardly-placed horses proved successful last Sunday when 4/5 fave Nimbus Deo (#8 tonight) was locked in at the back, changing entire shape of the race; not expecting off-the-pace trotters to be at such a disadvantage tonight. (3) CROSSFIT sacrificed with first-over move out of fourth in last week's Preferred Handicap; he wore down pacesetter LMC Mass Gem (#6 this race), yet paid a price, finishing third as ground-saving closers captured the top two spots; Marie Claude Auger is back for trotter's fourth consecutive start with Lasix. (2) HAT TRICK MARLEAU and Pierre Bovay get some post relief after spending most of March 7 Rideau Preferred Handicap parked; very wide early at back of strange trip; his Nov. 15 victory was over lower-classified Nw4000l3cd trotters, but more importantly, he raced on/near front throughout in a going-away 1:58.2 effort over a "good" surface; those handicapped with outside posts tonight haven't shown the same kind of results against this group.
Race 8 – (6) HOOTER SHOOTER impressed as a top-choice pick in last week's Rideau Carleton Nw650pscd event, even though he didn't get the win; leaving from second tier, Marc-Andre Simoneau's classy closer finished second to BS Tyrrific (#3 here), pacing home from seventh to second in a 28.4 last quarter; better every race with latest driver Samuel Fillion, who's back again tonight. (2) AVATAR J is reunited with Guy Gagnon, and should appreciate class relief from Preferred level; 10-time 2020 winner recorded his most recent victory Nov. 15 with an off-the-pace effort for Stephane Brosseau, in Rideau Nw4200l3cd; hasn't been able to step up in Preferred company since successful Oct. 11 stalking trip for Tyler Moore; broken equipment hurt chances March 7 with Jonathan Lachance aboard (he drives #3 BS Tyrrific tonight). (1) XTERNAL gains class/post relief; another good closer. (8) THE REGULATOR has tough outside post, but drops down from Nw4000l3cd classification; keeps Ryan Guy. (7) BIG PETES STYLE was set back to seventh March 7, when he finished second but caused interference to Western Phil going into last turn; hard to read since his claim from former owner/trainer/driver Guy Gagnon; none of his 2020 wins were from post #7.
Race 9 – (4) BADSTORMANYPORT encountered broken equipment last race; class drop and the hot hands of Richard Simard this week for second-winningest 2020 horse of this field (5 wins, all at this track, two from same post as tonight). (6) FREE PROOF and Pascal Berube got boxed in fifth after the half in March 7 Rideau Carleton 7000clm event; Yves Tessier and Samuel Fillion now join forces with pacer who last won Nov. 15 at Hippodrome 3R's Nw200pscd classification; he returned to the races late last season, winning his second qualifier and first pari-mutuel race of 2020 there last summer; second start of the year for pacer who had little chance to get involved last week; up in class. (3) MACHO POLO finished second as beaten fave for Stephane Pouliot in March 7 Rideau Nw400pscd; set the pace, but was caught by the now-absent Thats Some Plan; seven-time 2020 winner's most recent victory was Oct. 4 at this track's 15000clm classification, when he wired a short field in 1:53.4.
Race 10 – (1) SHINE A LIGHT and Jacques Beaudoin won three in a row last July at Rideau Carleton, wiring Nw7500lcd/ Nw7900lcd company; Claude Larose gets second consecutive drive on Ron Charette's class-dropping winner of eight races last season; second start of 2021 for four-year-old who closed for show (and was placed second) from same post last Sunday. (6) LARRY IS DEBS ROCK gapped a few lengths behind most of the field early on, then tipped out from second-last for Richard Simard last Sunday, en route to the three-quarters; he had to go wide because tired early pacesetter St Lads Captain was going in reverse directly ahead of him; retreated after that brief move, so he wasn't hard-used in his 2021 comeback; the question is if he will fire in his second start of the year, from same post, this race; class drop. (4) THE ROADIES is also down in class; Mandy Archer trainee finished 4p3 in Ottawa Nw2750l3cd company from post #7 for Jonathan Lachance March 7; Guy Gagnon is back in the bike here.
Race 11 – (6) STELIOS and owner/trainer/driver Guy Gagnon have not missed Rideau Carleton top two in any race since Nov. 29, when the pacer debuted for him last year; class drop this week; he was second the entire mile behind Op15000clm winner Vanilla Malted March 7, on a night when pacesetters proved most successful in all but 4 of the 15 races. (3) LEVIS DAY and Marie Claude Auger wired Rideau Nw1400l3cd company Nov. 22; backed off to fifth early in Nw2750l3cd company by Ryan Guy March 7, he got into the outer flow and closed ground late, advancing from seventh to fifth; Auger returns to the sulky for gelding's fourth start of 2021, and fourth in a row with Lasix. (4) CAMS LUCKY SAM settled into sixth along pylons on the way to the opening quarter last week; he followed cover fourth-over to the half, in pursuit of leader Mall Cop, continuing to gain ground as others backed down; Pascal Berube has opted off the show-finisher this time around, apparently choosing #8 Vegas Rocks; Samuel Fillion catch drives class-climbing gelding in good form.
Race 12 – (3) JOURNALISTIC closed well for show March 7, chasing gate-to-wire winner Dylans Bank; let go at 40/1, Phil Reid's three-time 2020 winner should find more respect at the windows tonight; improved post position for only horse in this field who has closed in sub-30-second style in every 2021 race to date. (6) LUNAR LAUNCH has started 2021 with improving results for Richard Simard every week; they won at Rideau Op15000clm from rail March 7; facing tougher class/post this time. (9) CARWINS SMORE was claimed by Guy Gagnon last Sunday; debuts for latest owner/trainer/driver from second tier; a going-away winner in Hard Rock Summer Claiming Series Consolation Sept. 13, he's been a show finisher more often, like Feb. 21, at higher classification (Nw400pscd).
Race 13 – (2) SIR CHOPIN has steepest post/class relief this week; he was cutting the opening fractions Feb. 21, before hooking wheels in the race declared "no contest"; he won Dec. 6 Rideau Nw3000l3cd trot from post #7, moving a gapped second-over from fifth to the opening quarter for owner/trainer/driver Carol Voyer, making front over Fierce Magic on the way to the three-quarters, and drawing clear by eight lengths in the stretch; noteworthy that tonight's #1 Asa Im Ready was trapped inside and shuffled back that race, ending up fifth as beaten fave from post #2; catch drive tonight goes to Samuel Fillion, suggesting aggressive approach. (1) ASA IM READY and Stephane Brosseau are still seeking their first win together this year, yet haven't missed board in three tries; up in class; a career-best 1:56 winner from Rideau Carleton rail in their one start from that post last year, Nov. 12; can make front early, but can she hold off (5) UNDERCOVER STRIKE? Class-climbing closer draws better this week; it's almost irrelevant for undefeated-in-2021 trotter and trainer/driver Guy Gagnon; the drawback: he's a known quantity, with strategists all around him looking to trip out and end the win streak.
Race 14 – (9) SOPHIES CAM won from Rideau Carleton post #3 for Richard Simard Dec. 20 and Feb. 21, in both cases gradually closing and then unleashing late speed in the stretch; trailing post position also lends itself to this kind of trip, even in a field where there are more likely closers than leavers; fastest winner (1:57.1) and closing quarter (28.4) of any mare in this field, at this track, so far this year; post #8 killed chances March 7. (5) E R RHONDA is hard to discount after last Sunday's win with Guy Gagnon facing similar group, from same post position; versatile veteran. (8) REYS N A ROCKET might need one to get a win from the farthest orbit tonight; her well-known closing capabilities made her a (beaten) 4/5 fave from post #7 March 7 when up in class, but she got within three-quarters of a length from taking down leader E R Rhonda (#5 this race) for regular pilot Ryan Guy; closed from eighth to second in a field's-fastest 29 flat; she would become Rideau Carleton's second post #8 starter of the year to win if she can get there this week.
Race 15 – (3) DRACHAN HANOVER might find that third time's the charm; post #3, third start in a row with Lasix, and in his third pari-mutuel adventure of the year, trainer Marcel Barrieau lists Stephane Brosseau instead of once again taking the lines himself; boxed in fifth at the half last week, he made passing lane move to third, before two deep closers laid down identical 29-second last quarters to pass him: tonight's #5 Officer Jones and (6) NATIONAL DEBT, who finds post relief in this week's Preferred Handicap; narrowly missed catching gate-to-wire winner Racemup (assigned #8 tonight) in March 7 edition; Pascal Berube stays loyal to last year's 12-time winner. (5) OFFICER JONES finished third in Rideau Preferred Handicap from inside posts March 7 and Feb. 21; post #5 is second-best at this track for pacers so far in 2021; late speed pacer hasn't missed board in three tries this year. (7) LUKE AND DUKE was able to get the jump on Preferred Handicap pacers here Feb. 21 from post #6, but he and Guy Gagnon have steeper assignment in second consecutive start from post #7; second to tonight's #6 National Debt when they faced off Dec. 20 at same level, he was the #7 but with one horse scratched to his inside. (9) VANILLA MALTED trails and faces class hike; wired Ottawa Nw4000l3cd pacers for Clarke Steacy last Sunday, an unlikely strategy this week; fifth in his last start at this track's Preferred level Feb. 16, another off-the-pace effort likely lands him there tonight.
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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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