SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 SELECTIONS

BEST BET--(5) SOUTHWIND SAMBUCCA--R10

SPOT PLAY--(4) MOONLIGHTBOY--R4

Pick 5 (R6-10): 2,3,6,4/6/2,4,1,7/4,3,1,7/5 = $12.80

Early Pick 4 (R2-5): 3,4,1/6,3,7/4/1,4,5 = $5.40

Middle Pick 4 (R4-7): 4/1,4,5/2,3,6,4/6,5,4 = $7.20

Late Pick 4 (R7-10): 6,5,4/2,4,1,7/4,3,1,7/5 = $9.60 

(20-cent combinations)

Race 1:

(6) MASTER OF FIRE is a former $70K Lexington yearling making debut for Mandy Archer; Guy Gagnon's choice over BRELAND D AS; brother to millionaire Catch The Fire; faced interference in latest start, Sept. 16 at Mohawk: fourth when leader Wake Zone suddenly began dropping back ahead of him; finished with broken headpole; class relief. (1) SPEEDY DANCER finds class relief; lone 2-year-old; pocketed up behind 1/9 Muktuk Annie Sunday, briefly parking Greattime Bayama on first turn; gapping fourth on final turn; faded late. (3) BRELAND D AS sat loose pocket behind front-end winning 1/5 fave Yourattendtionplz Sunday; unable to stay with that rival down the stretch; held off fast-closing Rapid Fire for place; debut for Marie-Claude Auger. (2) BIG ART FALLON and Pascal Berube got away single-file third at odds of 40/1 Sunday; gapping third behind BERLAND D AS to top of stretch; outsprinted for show by Rapid Fire; 1:57.2 individual mile is fastest of her life; post relief. 

Race 2:

(3) HAKA TIMATANGA: Pascal Berube's choice over CB CAPER; third start for Luc Loyer; settled third behind pacesetting 2/5 fave MUKTUK ANNIE Sept. 24; stepped out first-over around decelerating pocket-sitter Bettor B Home Soon on backstretch; steadily gaining ground on MUKTUK ANNIE around final turn/into the stretch; ran out of racetrack; field's-fastest (28 flat) closing quarter. (4) GREATTIME BAYAMA and Stephane Pouliot came after 1/9 pacesetter MUKTUK ANNIE Sunday; first-over to 28.2 opening quarter; cleared past that point, leading the way along backstretch; fought to park favourite MUKTUK ANNIE around final turn; missed by a neck; closed in field's-co-fastest 28.4 last quarter. (1) MUKTUK ANNIE was first to the front for Guy Gagnon Sunday; left pocket on backstretch to challenge GREATTIME BAYAMA approaching three-quarters; first-over against him around final turn, drawing ahead and maintaining advantage to the wire as 1/9 winning fave. (5) CB CAPER emerged second-over from fifth on the backstretch facing similar company Sunday; overtook Speedy Dancer for third on final turn; best of the rest behind top pair; gaining ground down the stretch in field's-co-fastest 28.4 last quarter.; did not hit board in two June starts here for the returning Robert Shepherd. 

Race 3:

(6) FLIPPER RUBY and Philippe Trudeau emerged second-over from second-last to chase cover of HILL N THRILL to the half Sunday; returned to the pylons on backstretch; three-wide bid down stretch; closed in field's-fastest 29.4; ran out of racetrack. (3) HILL N THRILL stepped out first-over from fourth near the half Sunday for Darcy Clancy; parked third on backstretch after briefly drawing alongside pacesetting LITTARUS; gradually lost ground on final turn; debut for Guy Gagnon. (7) LITTARUS and Jacques Beaudoin got away strongly from rail Sunday at odds of 19/1, parking 1/5 fave Velucandoitcupcake to the 27.4 opening quarter; continued to set pace as that rival pocketed up; led into deep stretch; stung late by Velucandoitcupcake; tough post. (1) GOT NO MORE followed dueling Velucandoitcupcake and LITTARUS well back in third around first turn; tightened up in third along backstretch, parking HILL N THRILL; ground-saving trip for fourth. 

Race 4:

(4) MOONLIGHTBOY backpedaled to last early Sunday; first-over from last past opening quarter; flushed out Curious Cortez and Tellaurailoveher before second turn; raced third-over along backstretch; four-wide move at top of the stretch; 1:55.2 individual mile was his fastest this year; closed in field's-fastest 28.3; a front-end Rideau winner on Oct. 3, 2024. (3) DGS DE VITO crushed on front end for Stephane Pouliot from same post position/lower classification in his August 24 comeback; significant class relief for pacer who made only two 2024 starts last year, in July Rideau Preferred Handicap in July 2024; second-over from sixth to chase cover of DR JOE in front of grandstand Sunday; parked along backstretch; tired. Front-end-loving (5) LOVEMYROCKINBIRD trailed to half Sunday; advanced along pylons on backstretch; mild late bid up inside path; post/class relief; Marie-Claude Auger's choice over MONTYSGONEMARBLE. Class-dropping (1) DR JOE stepped out first over from fifth in front of grandstand Sunday for Guy Gagnon; chased leader Day Delight and pocket-sitting 1/5 fave Stonebridge Hermes from third along backstretch; lost ground late after parked-out trip.

Race 5:

(1) NO TIME AT ALL is reunited with Pascal Berube, aboard for his most recent win, August 17 at higher classification; sixth along pylons to opening quarter Sunday; second-over to follow cover of Carson Star Choice around second turn; landed fourth along pylons after circling stalled cover; second move, second-over at top of stretch behind long-gone top pair; Berube's pick over BIG PETES STYLE. (4) FANCY LETTERING's latest win was in August 10 Hard Rock Summer Claiming Series, on front end from post #6 for Guy Gagnon; class relief from tough mares; got away single-file fourth Sept. 24; caught in/shuffled back on second turn; finally free at three-quarters; third-over from last on final turn; gaining ground late; Gagnon's choice over (5) BEACH ROLLER, whose lone 2025 win was for Gagnon June 8, at similar classification;  quick turnaround of class drop: got away single-file third Wednesday; tipped first-over on backstretch; pressed pace of 4/5 fave D A Cinnamoncrisnch around final turn; lost momentum at top of stretch. (2) BIG PETES STYLE came first-over against leader ROCKINMYDREAM in front of grandstand Sunday; pressed pace along backstretch/final turn; followed closers to the wire for show.

Race 6:

(2) SHOTGUN JERRY drops below Rideau Preferred Handicap level for the first time since August 24; caught in sixth early Sunday; shuffled to last past the half; closed into traffic on final turn; gaining ground late in field's-co-second-quickest (28 flat) last quarter; took 1:52 lifetime mark August 10 at this level, for Melanie Plourde. (3) BETS BEACH is Pascal Berube's pick over recent winner PERPETUAL ROCK and SPORTS ACTIVATOR; they upset at 14/1 together July 13, lowering lifetime mark to 1:52.2 at similar classification; trying to flush out cover near the half Sunday; third-over from fifth along backstretch; caught behind stalled cover of Foxhunt; second-over at top of stretch. (6) MR IBIZA N qualified Sunday, winning going-away over lightly-raced 2- and 3-year-old rivals; first start since April 28 (at Mohawk); second start for Robert Bernicky.(4) MAJOR FERNCO N is Marie-Claude Auger's pick over DAY DELIGHT; stepped out first-over from third past the half Sunday; parked first-over by leader Southwind Sambucca to three-quarters; faded late. (5) RJS SUPERFREAK finished fifth for the returning Robert Shepherd Sunday; mild post relief for strong closer; completes Hi-5. 

Race 7:

(6) HP LIS SHADOW impressed in Sunday's Rideau Preferred Handicap debut; cleared Logan Behold to take lead before 26.3 quarter; overtaken by PL Ozzy past that point; second move to reclaim lead before second turn; led to three-quarters; battled The Light Speed around final turn; edged out late; second start for Jacob Copley; debut for Guy Gagnon. (5) MYTHIC GAMBLER is Robert Shepherd's choice over HP LIS SHADOW; five-time winner of 2025 Rideau Preferred Handicap, the latest from post #7 August 17; strong closer advanced first-over to 26.2 opening quarter Sept. 21; led to three-quarters; matched strides with The Light Speed around final turn; held on for show. (4) LOGAN BEHOLD left aggressively to battle HP LIS SHADOW off the gate in Sunday's Preferred Handicap; buried sixth at three-quarters; closed in field's-co-second-fastest 28 flat; two moves; adds Pascal Berube for first start together. (3) DUCK DYNASTY steps up in class after 12/1 Sunday victory for Stephane Pouliot; perfect pocket ride behind pacesetting Southwind Sambucca; narrowly held off hard-charging Margosgotthecargo in new 1:51.3 lifetime mark.  

Race 8:

(2) BAD APPLE is Pascal Berube's choice over SUNNY BO; quick turnaround; got away single-file third behind pacesetting 1/2 fave Mickeymaksomespeed Wednesday; caught in/shuffled back as Midnight Mood led outer flow along backstretch; swarmed by closers in stretch; 2 of 3 seasonal wins for Pascal Berube at similar level, racing on/near pace. (4) LADYFORD DOLLAR GB backpedaled to last before the quarter pole Wednesday; third-over from last approaching half; closed into traffic on final turn; taken wide in stretch; gaining ground late; most recent, off-the-pace win was at this level for Marie-Claude Auger Sept. 14. (1) BETTOR AT HIGHTIDE is Guy Gagnon's choice over MAE LOSE CONTROL; 

wired from rail for three consecutive victories for Gagnon, August 27-Sept. 10; fourth as beaten 1/2 fave from off the pace Sunday. Beaten 3/5 fave (7) MAE LOSE CONTROL moves to tougher post; pocket ride behind Make It Come True Sunday; ran out of racetrack hunting that winner to the wire. 

Race 9:

(4) ALLSTAR PLAYBOY teams up with catch driver Guy Gagnon for first start together, in the absence of Wall Street Bell; 11 seasonal victories, the most recent back-to-back Sept. 7 and 14 for Brett MacDonald and Robert Shepherd. (3) SPRINGBRIDGE JIM is Robert Shepherd's choice over TUF COOPER; pocketed up behind 1/9 leader Wall Street Bell Sunday, at odds of 19/1; wired at lower classification Sept. 17, his most recent start for Shepherd. (1) SEAURAT HANOVER returns to rail following Wednesday's 7/1 victory; retains winning driver Pascal Berube; his pick over MORE MONET; quick turnaround; up in class. (7) THE TURNING POINT is Marie-Claude Auger's pick over SHANGHAIGOLD; chased cover of first-over ALLSTAR PLAYBOY from second-over fourth along backstretch Sunday; edged out IMA DUDE for show, well behind top two. 

Race 10:

(5) SOUTHWIND SAMBUCCA is Marie-Claude Auger's choice over BAYFIELD BEACH; left strongly from rail Sunday; cut fractions; pocket-sitting Duck Dynasty collared him with late move up inside path; edged out for show by three-wide Margosgotthecargo; back-to-back sub-1:52 miles. (2) SMILINGBILLYTHEKID gets major post/class relief; reunited with pascal Berube, aboard for his latest win on Sept. 21 at lower level; Berube's choice over NOSPORTPUNINTENDED and THRILLING TIMES. (7) D A LETS BOOGIE backed down to fifth off the gate Sept. 21 on class hike; third-over on second turn; three-wide to follow Treasure The Day around final turn; flying wide late for fourth; field's-second-quickest 928.1) closing quarter; fastest (1:53.1) individual mile of his life on a 5/8-mile track. (3) CAPTAINOFROCKNROLL is Guy Gagnon's choice over WELLWORTHTHEWAIT; latest win was wiring from rail Sept. 14 at similar classification for Brett MacDonald; overland trip Sunday, closing for show behind Howmac Victor. (6) NOSPORTPUNINTENDED and Mike Armstrong saved ground Sunday; raced fifth along pylons behind pacesetting THRILLING TIMES; overtaken in stretch; completes Hi-5.