Light The Torch goes again at Hippodrome 3R

If the trouncing Light The Torch (Always B Miki) gave his rivals last week at the Hippodrome 3R (H3R) was any indication of how good this horse is, then they better watch out this Sunday at the Trois-Rivieres track in Quebec.

Light The Torch is the overwhelming race favorite once again in the 6th race $6,500 Preferred-Handicap Pace on Sunday (June 23). He will start from post five for driver Pascal Berube and trainer and co-owner Marc-Andre Simoneau (with Jean Fontaine).

Last week at H3R, Light The Torch and Berube teamed up to lead from start to finish by two lengths in 1:54.2. That was the fastest mile by any horse so far this season at H3R by more than one second (five lengths). It was his fifth win of the season.

“The horse race well last week,” driver Pascal Berube explained. “He never makes wasted effort. Always great results but it’s a horse that doesn’t yet know how to do its job. He races well in every way, which is why he will become more and more a good horse. He doesn’t make any unnecessary effort for me.”

Later this season, Light The Torch is one of 18 four-year-old pacers that are eligible to come back at H3R on August 18 to compete in the $200,000 Prix d’Ete, the signature race at the track.

Hoping to tie a rope behind Light The Torch in the 4th race is Doc Houston and driver Jessica Turenne. They will start from post four and is moving up the class ladder after scoring a 1:56.4 victory last week.

A newcomer to Quebec is Flash Cure from post three. He will be driven by Jocelyn Gendron for trainer Guy Gagnon and ships into H3R off a 1:53.2 triumph in his last start. The six-year-old gelding shows he can race and win from on or off the pace.

The fourth return winner in the field is Bettor Half, starting from post one for driver Denis St Pierre, who also trains and owns the six-year-old gelding. He is also moving up in class after winning last week at H3R in 1:57.2 after being parked first-over for the entire mile.

Rounding out the field is the only non-return winner, Frozen Hanover (post 2), who last week was a game second, timed in 1:55.4 in his first start back this year.

Later on the card in the 8th race $8,500 co-feature pace for Quebec-Bred four-year-olds and up, The Light Speed (Moon Beam) will seek to avenge his neck loss last week as he takes on rival Aladdin (Shadow Play).

The Light Speed is trained by Guy Gagnon and starts from post seven in the nine-horse field. He already sports an impressive seven wins this year for owner-breeder Michel Nollette of Princeville, Que.

Aladdin, the morning line favorite, is saddled with starting from the far outside in post eight for driver Stephane Brosseau. Last week he came on late in the mile to nip pacesetter The Light Speed at the wire in 1:52.1 at Rideau Carleton Raceway. It was Aladdin’s first win of the year.

Another contender is the top mare, Kiss Me Bad for owner-driver Steven Gagnon. She starts from post five and won two of her last three starts against the best at H3R.

First race post time on Sunday is 12:00 noon for the nine-race card. For free race programs, visit here.

by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club