Filly stays undefeated in stakes romp

The two-year-old Quebec-bred trotting filly Chic Choc Rose (Royalty For Life) continued her undefeated harness racing season Friday afternoon (Aug. 2) at the Hippodrome 3R (H3R) in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, winning her division of the Future Stars Series in a romp.

Starting from post two for trainer-driver Marie-Claude Auger, Chic Choc Rose went right to the lead and did not have to turn and look back as she was leading by five lengths at the opening quarter mile in :31.1.

Chic Choc Rose continued to hold the field at bay at the half mile marker in 1:02.4, the three-quarters in 1:34 and then opened up in the stretch, winning in a romp by eight and one-quarter lengths in 2:04.2. Soleo (Stephane Brosseau) was second with Gwandalina (Francis Picard) third.

Now three for three in her young career, Chic Choc Rose was bred by Auger, who co-owns the filly with Catheline Pelletier. She paid just $2.10 across the board as the overwhelming 1/9 race favorite.

CHIC CHOC ROSE REPLAY

In the 2nd race first $7,500 division for the trotting fillies, it was all race favorite Miche Charm (Muscle Mass) from start to finish for driver Guy Gagnon. She left from post one and cut soft fractions of :32, 1:04 and 1:35.3 en route to a one and one-quarter length triumph in 2:05.4.

The pocket-sitting Kinnder Kahina (Robert Shepherd) was second with Masoterapeute (Pierre Marc Longpre) third. Miche Charm is trained by Jeremy Marcotte, who he co-owns with Denis Marcotte. Miche Charm paid $2.50 to win.

MICHE CHARM REPLAY

The 4th race was the lone $10,000 Future Stars Series for the trotting colts. Also leading from start to finish was Im Just A Gigolo (Lookslikeachpndale) and trainer-driver Jerome Lombart.

Im Just A Gigolo cut fractions of :30.1, 1:02.1 and 1:33.4 with race favorite Muscle Du Haras (Marie-Claude Auger) sitting the two-hole trip. And then in the backstretch, Big Bank (Jean-Francis Maguire) came first-over, boxing in Muscle Du Haras.

Big Bank looked like he was going to take the lead away from Im Just A Gigolo in the stretch, but Im Just A Gigolo dug in and came on to win by a half a length in 2:04.4. Muscle Du Haras was third.

It was the second win in the series and a lifetime mark for Im Just A Gigolo, who was bred and is owned by Jerome Lombart of Bromont, Que. He paid $6.80 to win.

IM JUST A GIGOLO REPLAY

The $6,500 Preferred Trot saw race favorite Frido PV (Pascal Berube) cut the mile, but it was Cleveland Massimo (Muscle Mass) and driver Robert Shepherd coming first-over by the first quarter, getting parked the mile and still came on in the stretch to win by two lengths in 1:59.4. It was his third win this year and the 8-1 mild longshot paid $19.00 to win.

Track Notes: Robert Shepherd had the hot hats Friday, driving four winners for the first time this season. Stephane Brosseau, Jerome Lombart and Marie-Claude Auger each had a driving double. David Pilon became the first trainer this season to win three races while Jerome Lombart had a training double. Live racing resumes on Sunday, Aug. 4 with a 13-race program starting at 12:00 noon. Featured will be the second round of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old pacers. Highlighting the card is Justine Ray, who goes for his fourth straight win. For more information and free race programs, visit here.

by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club