The 10-race card at Rideau Carleton on Sunday (July 7) ended with fireworks, highlighted by Jet Rock's triumph in the $10,000 Preferred Pace and Carson Star Choice extending his win streak to seven.
Starting from post four in a field of six, driver Robert Shepherd altered his usual strategy with Jet Rock, a reliable closer. Sent off at 9-5, Jet Rock quickly took the lead in the first turn but briefly yielded to Light The Torch (Pascal Berube) at the quarter in :27. Unwilling to stay in second, Shepherd moved Jet Rock back to the front, reaching the half in :56. The 2-5 favourite, The Light Speed (Guy Gagnon), moved into second at the leader’s wheel as Jet Rock led to three-quarters in 1:23.2.
Under Shepherd's urging, Jet Rock fended off The Light Speed’s challenge in the final turn, entering the stretch 1-1/2 lengths ahead. With a powerful :27.3 finish, Jet Rock crossed the wire two lengths clear, winning in 1:51. The Light Speed finished second, followed by Light The Torch in third.
Trained by Isabelle Darveau, this victory marked Jet Rock’s first win in nine starts in 2024. The eight-year-old gelded son of Rocknroll Heaven-Jet Wash, owned by Ecurie Csl, Sorel-Tracy, and Les Ecuries Dorleans Inc., has now earned $370,455 in his career with 35 wins.
In the finale, Guy Gagnon turned the tables on Robert Shepherd, as Carson Star Choice claimed his seventh consecutive win in the $7,800 conditioned race. Starting from the rail, Gagnon sent the 2-5 favourite to the lead with a quick opening quarter of :27.2. Shepherd moved second-choice Acapulco Sunburn first-over from fifth, coming within a length of the leader as Carson Star Choice slowed the pace to reach the half in :57.
Acapulco Sunburn challenged Carson Star Choice on the backstretch, but the favourite responded with a swift :26.4 third quarter, extending his lead to a length at three-quarters in 1:23.4. Despite persistent pressure from Acapulco Sunburn in the final turn, Carson Star Choice dug in gamely, winning by a length in 1:52.1. Shotgun Jerry (Stephane Pouliot) was placed third following interference by Allstar Cheddar (Ryan Guy), who was relegated to eighth after initially finishing third.
Undefeated since joining the Gagnon barn on May 14, Carson Star Choice, a five-year-old gelded son of Betterthancheddar-Carsons Ladyluck, now boasts nine wins in 27 starts this season. Owned by Ecuries Guy Gagnon Inc. and Seth McLeod, he has accumulated $91,108 in career earnings.
On the night, both Guy Gagnon and Robert Shepherd recorded driving doubles, while Jimmy Gagnon led all drivers with four victories.