This Thursday, May 9, Rideau Carleton Raceway hosted afternoon harness racing again. The event began with a 10-dash card. Beginning with the sixth race and continuing through the tenth was the Pick 5 wager.
Allstar Cheddar (Betterthancheddar), one of the hottest horses at Rideau Carleton Raceway, was entered in the fifth event. This year, he had only lost to second place in one of his four starts, winning the other three. On May 2, he won his most recent race, clocking a mile time of 1:55. His lifetime best was just 0.5 seconds quicker than what he accomplished the previous year. Guy Gagnon had ridden the four-year-old gelding, which was trained by Mandy Archer.
Telllaurailoveher (All Bets Off), who had drawn the rail, was Allstar Cheddar's main rival in the event. The gelding trained by Andre Lechance had only been successful once this year, but in 1:54.3 he earned a trip to the winner's circle. Despite going winless in his three races the previous year, he managed to come back and finish second at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Driving duties have been assigned to Pascal Berube.