Trainers tied for title with two days left

Harness racing trainer Marc-Andre Simoneau harnessed two winners at the Hippodrome 3R Sunday (Oct. 22) afternoon and tied rival David Pilon at 29 winners each in the trainer standings. There are only two days of racing left to the H3R race meet in 2023.

Two of Simoneau’s winners were driven by Pascal Berube, who led all drivers with a triple on Sunday. With a 23-win lead over his nearest rival, 74 to 51, Berube is a shoo-in to win his fourth straight driving title at H3R.

It was a rainy day at H3R Sunday with the track condition sloppy and a three second allowance from the Judges.

In the 10^th race feature pace for fillies and mares, Jimbelina (Big Jim) and driver Marie-Claude Auger were not going to allow anyone to pass them by, especially race favorite NY Hardcore (Robert Shepherd).

After Jimbelina cut the mile to the quarter in :29.4, NY Hardcore was flushed first-over before the half mile in 1:01.2. NY Hardcore continued to gain ground on Jimbelina as they passed the three-quarters in 1:31.2.

The two leaders were head and head going into the final turn but once they started down the stretch, Jimbelina proved to be too tough, pulling away to win with ease by three and three-quarter lengths in 2:01.2. Dads Princess (Stephane Brosseau) was second with NY Hardcore third.

JIMBELINA REPLAY

It was the second win in just four starts this season for Jimbelina. The 10-year-old mare is trained by Andre Champagne for owner Roland Trudel and paid $9.60 to win.

The Princess of Trot at H3R, Stella Alpha (Royalty For Life) returned to her winning ways in the 5^th race feature trot.

Awsome Phil (Steven Gagnon) cut the mile with Pascal Berube moving Stella Alpha first-over before the half mile. By the backstretch Awsome Phil and Stella Alpha pulled away from the field. Then Stella Alpha came after Awsome Phil and those two locked horns until mid-stretch when Stella Alpha pulled away for a two and one-quarter length victory in 2:02.4.

STELLA ALPHA REPLAY

It was the third win on the season for Stella Alpha. The four-year-old mare is trained by Sylvain Tremblay for his Alpha Stable that bred her. She paid $2.90 to win.

Track Notes: Along with Pascal Berube scoring a driving triple, both Marc-Andre Simoneau and Sylvain Tremblay had training doubles. There are only two days left for the H3R 2023 race meet. Live racing resumes next Sunday, Oct. 29 at 12:00 noon. For more information and free race programs, visit here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club