Wednesday 7 pm Thursday 4 pm sunday 6:30 pm

Rideau Carleton Sunday, September 24, 2023

BEST BET – (6) XTRA CHEESE – R11

SPOT PLAY – (2) TF MCROCKIN – R1

Pick 5 (R5-9): 2,4,9 / 2,1 / 2 / 5,8,7,3 / 9,1,7,5 = $19.20 

Early Pick 4 (R2-5): 5,4,3,6 / 1,3 / 7,4 / 2,4,9,5 = $12.80

Middle Pick 4 (R4-7): 7,4 / 2,4,9,5 / 2,1 / 2,5,4,9 = $12.80

Late Pick 4 (R6-9): 2,1 / 2,5 / 5,8,7,3 / 9,1,7,5 = $12.80

Last Pick 4 (R8-11): 5,8,7,3 / 9,1,7,5 / 5,2 / 6,3 = $12.80

(20-cent combinations)

Race 1:

(2) TF MCROCKIN led early from Rideau rail in Sunday qualifier; overtaken by Lochaber before half; loose pocket; outkicked late; dam won her first five starts at age 2, at Windsor Raceway; half-brother to Tf Rocketman, who crushed in Rideau debut last July

(4) SEAURAT HANOVER gets post relief; adds Guy Gagnon; broke maiden two starts ago; showed gate speed from Rideau post #7 Sunday; three-horse battle for early lead; gradually retreated to fifth along pylons enroute to opening quarter; 

(3) WATCHA STRIKESFAME led to half that race; couldn’t hold off first-over 1/9 winner Arizona Jackson along backside; no match for that winner or late-charging runner-up Mybitcoin; personal 1:56.3 mile was quickest of his career to date

(7) BAD APPLE is the field’s only two-time winner; back in line to Pascal Berube after surrendering early command to Stay True in Sept. 10 start from Rideau rail; boxed in; shuffled back; came on again on final turn, behind tiring horses; post hurts

Race 2:

(5) FRANKY BOB won the last time he competed at this Rideau level, July 6; front-end-loving gelding sat second-last early Sept. 14; covered up and shuffled to last on second turn; first pari-mutuel start with catch driver Guy Gagnon; class drop 

(4) SENORITA I AM gets major post/class relief in Ottawa debut; spotted Hippodrome 3R stakes rivals a few lengths at start Set. 10, from post #8; caught inside last at half; closed into late traffic; debut for catch driver Stephane Brosseau

(3) JITTERS BETTOR remains winless since arriving at Rideau Carleton July 13; racing at lowest 2023 classification; adds Pascal Berube; caught inside as outer flow started up on second turn Sept. 14; lost ground in stretch under aggressive urging

(6) VINES TO HEAVEN closed for place as beaten 4/5 fave here on Sept. 14 class drop; covered up in third along backside, chasing pacesetter Thinkingofyoubabe; picked up cover of winner Beach Journey in stretch drive; closed in field’s-co-fastest 29 flat

Race 3:

(1) LOVEMYROCKINBIRD dropped in from Mohawk last Sept. 25 for Rideau Carleton victory; now gets class relief from this track’s Preferred Handicap, where he cut fractions Sunday; under pressure from The Light Speed on last turn; edged out in tight four-horse finish 

(3) MONTYSGONEMARBLE was first to front Thursday; cleared at top of stretch here Thursday; circled by Hes Got a Vendetta at quarter; pocket ride to three-quarters; made front in stretch; overtaken late by Jet Rock and Blockbuster Trade; quick turnaround 

(6) LITTLE MANNY picks up Guy Gagnon, aboard for Sept. 10 show finish as beaten even-money fave; cut mile that start; stung late by pocket-sitting LOVEMYROCKINBIRD

(2) TIME TO DANCING’s most recent victory was at lower Rideau classification, August 3 for trainer/driver Stephane Pouliot; dangerous late speed from helpful post

Race 4:

(7) GRITTY GRACIE has been good from outside posts for Robert Shepherd; last at the half in eight-horse field here Sunday; eye-catching three-wide move to three-quarters; just missed

(4) ATEYATEFNGERSLOUIE is at lowest Rideau classification this meet; sat single-file third behind pacesetting Montysgonemarble; late move up passing lane; edged out for show; late speed 

(6) LATTE SEELSTER enjoyed pocket ride behind pacesetting Vicious Aloicious Thursday; tipped at top of stretch, briefly making front; collared in final strides by Jk Ellem Enoh and GRITTY GRACIE, who lost win photo by a head 

(2) SOUFFLE DE VIE sat near back of field in Sept. 10 Coville Cup race; front-end-loving gelding makes second start for catch driver Marie-Claude Auger; recent off-the-pace efforts here and Hippodrome 3R have not played to his strengths 

Race 5:

(2) TWIZZLER GT followed the Hippodrome 3R starting gate Sept. 10, making early lead; gate-to-wire going-away victory for Pascal Berube; earned “C’est incroyable!” stretch call in 1:56 flat maiden victory; up in class 

(4) BEACH ROLLER stepped out second-over from sixth on Rideau backside Sunday;  went three-wide on final turn; caught leader Molly Moose; stung in shadow of wire by Mythic Gambler; class drop after fastest mile of his life (1:56.1) 

(9) ARIZONA JACKSON dominated from Rideau rail in Sunday debut for Clarke Steacy; going-away maiden win in sharp 1:55 flat; moves to second tier for third lifetime start 

(5) MOLLY MOOSE gets post relief after back-to-back starts from post #7; advanced first-over to clear Darcy Clancy stablemate MILO MINUTE at opening quarter Sunday; maintained lead into stretch drive; swarmed late; loses Pascal Berube to TWIZZLER GT 

(1) FRIAR VOLTAIRE remains a maiden, but has picked up cheques in all but four 2023 starts; Samuel Fillion stays loyal; rounds out Hi-5

Race 6:

(2) MYTHIC GAMBLER has two Rideau Carleton wins from outside posts, for two different drivers; swept past Beach Roller in deep stretch Sunday; perfectly-timed 28 flat last quarter; picks up Samuel Fillion in lateral driver change; loses Robert Shepherd to…

(1) MAXIMUS BG, making second start for Isabelle Darveau; two-move winner Sept. 1 at Hippodrome 3R for Robert Shepherd; 3R pocket ride Sunday behind Spectrum Seelster; caught inside by first-over winner Kingston Panic, driven by Shepherd

(6) LA BARBE came third-over from sixth in front of Rideau grandstand Sunday; advanced into second-over spot, right behind first-up Loulouameri at three-quarters as 1/5 fave Fantome en Joie continued to cut mile; three-wide late; just missed 

(4) DOUBLE GUM and Clarke Steacy tried to capitalize on pocket ride in stretch; passing lane move fell just short

Race 7:

(2) PERPETUAL ROCK took back to second-last from Rideau post #7 Sunday; ground-saving trip behind front-end winner Flash Cube; tipped on last turn; closed through late traffic; field’s-co-second-fastest (29 flat) closing quarter; post/class relief 

(5) MAKE IT COME TRUE followed Springbridge Jim from single-file fifth into second turn Sept. 14; caught inside as outer flow got rolling; angled toward passing lane too late

(4) SILVERADO and Ryan Guy upset at 5/1 here last Sept. 25, at slightly lower classification; post relief; strong closer 

(9) JADENSMAGICSTEEL is reunited with Robert Shepherd, aboard for two latest Rideau wins; caught wide behind stalled cover here Sept. 14; returns to second tier

Race 8:

(5) I AMA ROCKET raced third-over in compact field approaching three-quarters in Sunday Rideau Preferred Handicap; five-wide for stretch drive; tried to get around LEGION SEESTER; closed in second-quickest 28 flat; ran out of racetrack, again

(8) ALADDIN was beaten 9/5 fave in Hippodrome 3R Invitational Sept. 10; circled to front on first turn, from post #8 over “good” surface; under pressure from half onward from…

(7) THE LIGHT SPEED, who sat third through a 57.2 half cut by Lovemyrockinbird here Sunday; stepped out along backside, providing cover to LEGION SEELSTER; battled a tough Lovemyrockinbird from first-over; edged out by SHOTGUN JERRY; game to wire 

(3) BEST HONEY HANOVER is up in class after four-race win streak; best deep closer at Rideau Carleton right now; beat males in latest; retains Pascal Berube 

Race 9:

(9) ROCKNROLL NATION paced field’s-second-fastest (29.2) closing quarter Sunday against similar; third-over from back of pack, following first-up TYMAL PEACEMAKER into second turn; four-wide at top of stretch; just missed from same trailing post

(1) WESTERN PHIL gets massive post relief after cutting fractions Sunday for trainer/driver Guy Gagnon; worked hard to make front from post #8 in early three-horse battle; tired in stretch after setting brisk pace; looking at grandstand in stretch again

(7) TYMAL PEACEMAKER draws tougher after closing well Sunday; applied first-over pressure to pacesetting WESTERN PHIL; beaten 9/5 fave was runner-up in win photo against…

(5) ALWAYSYOURWAY, who was in ideal position on final turn that race: second-over fourth following cover of TYMAL PEACEMAKER; retains Robert Shepherd

Race 10:

(5) GETYOURLICENSELIAM took 1:52.3 lifetime mark Sept. 11, 2022; won again Sept. 25, both times at higher level for Samuel Fillion/Mandy Archer; beaten 4/5 fave just missed for Pascal Berube/Vic Puddy Sunday; co-fastest (27.3) closing quarter of entire card

(2) WELLWORTHTHEWAIT joins forces with Jimmy Gagnon; they wired here July 20, despite losing knee boot at opening quarter; retroactively DQed for unspecified reason; quick turnaround: boxed in fifth Thursday; passing lane move fell short  

(6) REALRUBIES AT PLAY was on the brink of three-race October win streak here for Jason Gilchrist last Sept. 25; moves to front tier on class drop; parked near back of field Sept. 14; changed course late; class relief.

(1) STONEBRIDGE BEACH left aggressively Sunday from Rideau rail; refused to remain in pocket behind Montysgonemarble; led into stretch; tired late; overtaken by closers.

Race 11:

(6) XTRA CHEESE is overdue for a win since August 31 claim into Mandy Archer barn; first start for Guy Gagnon; followed Betterontheisland from single-file third Thursday; tipped first-over on final turn; stung in deep stretch by Trion de Vie; quick turnaround 

(3) LOCHABER hasn’t missed Rideau exactor this year for Samuel Fillion; returning for first start since July 2; won unhurried Q mile over less-experienced pacers here Sunday

(4) HEAD OF THE TABLE took 1:54 flat mark here July 9 for Ryan Guy; first to the front from Rideau rail Sept. 10; passed by Hurricane Cheyenne at opening quarter; shuffled back to third enroute to half; boxed in at three-quarters; passing lane move fell short

(2) THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN and Clarke Steacy avoid Irresistible this week, after overland trips behind that winner in back-to-back starts; strong recent form continues

(1) FANTOME EN JOIE fought back against La Barbe Sunday for front-end Rideau victory in only her third Ottawa start; lowered lifetime best to 1:54.3; up in class; completes Hi-5