Chikaboom is more than just the name of a song

Trois-Rivieres, QC – “Chick-A-Boom (Don’t Ya Jes’ Love It)” is a song written by Janice Lee Gwin and Linda Martin and performed by Daddy Dewdrop in 1971.

Chikaboom (Betterthancheddar) is also the name of a three-year-old gelded pacer that is the favorite to win the $10,000 second leg of the Breeders Trophy Series at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday (July 31) afternoon.

Owned and bred by Harold Duguay of Pabes, Chikaboom was foaled two years ago and as things just happen, he was actually named by Duguay’s two daughters.

“The name Chikaboom was given by my two daughters,” Duguay explained. “An evening out and the DJ played the song, and they said the name of the foal should be Chikaboom. Who was I to stop them?”

As a two-year-old, Chikaboom won five of eight races and $37,620 and took a record of 1:52.3. But he never raced in Quebec before now.

“Last year we didn’t want to impose unnecessary transport on him,” Duguay said. “Which is one of the reasons that led us to choose to just have him do some shopping in Ontario.

“After two qualifications at Mohawk this year,” Duguay added. “My horse had a few minor problems which could not be detected at the time, but it was in the plans that I would take him back to Quebec for the Breeders’ Trophy Series.”

That worked out great for everyone. The horse was transferred to the care of trainer Dr. John Bradbury and two weeks ago Chikaboom made an impressive debut at H3R in the Series.

With driver Francis Picard in the sulky, Chikaboom went right to the lead and never looked back. He won by two lengths in 1:54.3. It was his first win of 2022 after five starts.

“On his first start at H3R,” Duguay explained. “He did well, and John (Dr Bradbury) and I have high hopes that he should continue to perform well on the 1/2-mile course.

“John is my older sister’s son,” Duguay laughed. “It’s kind of my fault that John is involved in the horse business and for me it’s just normal that the Boom ends up at John’s Stable.”

Chikaboom drew poorly for the 7^th race on Sunday. He starts from the far outside in post eight with Francis Picard back in the sulky. Two starts back he had post 8 at Grand River Raceway and finished a dismal seventh.

Other contenders in the race include return winner Aladdin (Shadow Play) with driver Samuel Fillion. Aladdin (post 5) won his last start at H3R in 1:57.4 and has won three of his last four starts. The lone loss was when he finished second to Chikaboom.

Another return winner is Got Hot Mom (Hes Watching) in post six. Last week he led from start to finish at H3R for driver Marie-Claude Auger in 1:58.1.

“On Sunday we will have a discussion with driver Francis Picard,” Duguay said. “There is no question of emptying the horse unnecessarily. We think more about preparing him well for the big day, September 11th.”

On September 11^th, Super Sunday at H3R, is the richest day of racing in all of Quebec. The top eight point earners in the three preliminary legs are eligible to the finals. There will be eight championship finals as the three-year-olds each race for a purse of $65,000 and the two-year-olds each go for $55,000.

There is also another Duguay at H3R, Carl Duguay, who is a popular owner, trainer and driver. Any relation to Harold Duguay?

“It is simply a relationship of two guys,” Harold explained. “Who comes from the same corner of the Gaspésie and who shares the same passion for 45 years.”

There is also a $10,000 division of the Breeders Trophy Series for three-year-old pacing fillies on Sunday.

It’s the 8^th race on the program and the morning line favorite is Majo Sport Bella (Sportswriter) from post two for driver Jonathan Lachance.

Unraced last year, Majo Sport Bella is currently undefeated in two lifetime starts at H3R. Last week she was in post nine (second tier) and was interfered with at the start, then got into second place, moved to the lead by three quarters en route to a four and three-quarter length romp in 1:59.3.

Also in the field is return winner Shes Rockandfame (Hes Watching) for driver Samuel Fillion in post five. Last week she led from start to finish at H3R in a lifetime best 1:58.1 triumph.

Post time Sunday is 12:00 noon. For a free race program, click here.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club