Classic matchups in Hippodrome 3R Preferred Pace

Coming up this Sunday, May 19 at the Hippodrome 3R in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec is a classic matchup of three of the best harness racing pacers so far this season going in head-to-head competition.

The 10^th race featured Preferred Pace sees a full field of nine horses entered. The race favorite is Uncontrollable (Control The Moment) and driver Marie-Claude Auger.

They start from post five and just last week the six-year-old gelding was actually controllable for Auger, leading from start to finish by three-quarters of a length over Thedoginthefight in 1:57.1.

Trained by Louis Philippe Turcotte for owners Steve Perreault and Johanne Dechamplain, both of Mont-Joli, Que. Uncontrollable is going for his third win of the season.

“He’s a good horse,” Turcotte said. “I also respect his opponents, several of whom are very fast. Currently, Uncontrollable and three of its rivals are considered ‘favorites’ and we were lucky in the draw.

“Uncontrollable is a good warrior,” Turcotte explained. “He is only six years old, but he has gone into battle several times. I would say that he is not a ‘new’ horse, that like others he requires certain care, but he gives himself when it counts.”

Thedoginthefight (Sweet Lou) starts from post six for driver Jocelyn Gendron. Gendron had his choice of horses in the race and selected Thedoginthefield over unbeaten Greystone Watchman (post 9).

Prior to his second place finish against Uncontrollable, Thedoginthefight had won the Preferred class opening day at H3R.

Unbeaten Greystone Watchman (Hes Watching) goes for his third straight win from the second tier in post 9 and will be driven by Denis St. Pierre. The six-year-old gelding has been able to wire the field in both his wins, the fastest last week in 1:58.1.

The race also features tough competitors Born A Rebel (post 7), GA Speed Gaby (post 4) and Rideau Carleton invader, Brodys Scrapper (post 2).

The trotters are also on display in the 8^th race where La Bromontoise (Angus Hall) blew-up the tote board last week at odds of 43-1 for owner, breeder, trainer, driver Jerome Lombart of Bromont. They were able to lead from start to finish in 2:00.2, tying his lifetime mark.

La Bromontoise will start from post seven and face some stiff competition from Lorenzo (post 3) and Timonier (post 5).

First race post time on Sunday is 12:00 noon. For more information and free race programs, visit here.

by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club