Can Frido PV be beaten in Quebec-Bred Series?

Frido PV (Muscle Mass) has been dominating the harness racing trotting ranks at the Hippodrome 3R since the race meet first opened and the six-year-old stallion goes for his fourth straight win on Friday (June 30).

He is the 5/2 favorite in the ninth race feature, the last preliminary round of the Quebec-Bred Series for four-year-old and older trotters. After Friday, the top eight point earners in the series return for a $30,000 final on Sunday, July 9.

Frido PV starts from post four for driver Jonathan Lachance. They have teamed up this season to have won five of his six starts. He is the winningest horse at H3R this season and is trained by Yves St Jacques for owner/breeder Marcel Brouillard.

It’s a bulky ten-horse field that will do battle and second choice at 3-1 is the entry from trainer Maxime Velaye of Capteur De Reve (post 5) and Ciel Bleu (post 8).

Capteur De Reve is a four-time Quebec Champion, going for an unpresented five titles July 9 in the final. But regular driver Stephane Brosseau is driving Ciel Bleu, so who is getting the drive on Capteur De Reve? It’s his trainer, Maxime Velaye.

“I will try very hard,” but he (Capteur De Reve) doesn’t have the best driver to win with Friday,” laughed Velaye.

“For sure Ciel Bleu with post 8 it is gonna be a difficult task to win from, but I’m very confident that Stephane Brosseau will give him the best trip he can have.

“As for Capteur De Reve,” Velaye added. “He will not be a problem as he can basically race well from on or off the pace. I am just going to see what is going on behind the gate and adjust my strategy.

“Both of my horses need to be 100%,” Velaye said. “Because Frido PV he is really strong right now. So, we probably need a little luck too Friday. We will need some luck in the final too, but I am confident that either Capteur De Reve or Ciel Bleu will win the final.”

Other contenders include Only For Justice from post eight for driver Robert Shepherd and previous preliminary round winner Orlys Pride (post 6).

“Our champion finished his race on three legs,” says Catheline Pelletier. Guy (Gagnon) realized half a mile that something was wrong. And he was right. In the paddock, after the race, the veterinarian passed x-rays that revealed a fracture of one of the phalanges of the foot.

“This is a very serious injury that will require three months of immobilization with a cast,” Pelletier added. “For him, the season may be over. Who knows, maybe even his career. For us, this is truly catastrophic news. A horse we love, who has given us the best of himself all these years. What does the future hold? It is very early to say.”

Post time for Friday’s 10-race twilight card is 4:00 pm. For a free race program, visit here.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club