David Pilon looks for another big day at H3R

After setting the all-time total handle record last Sunday at the Hippodrome 3R, harness racing is back at H3R on Friday (Sept. 15), which is the last Friday twilight race card of the season.

And hoping to extend his good fortune from Sunday will be trainer David Pilon, who sends out his stables fastest pacer this season, GA Speed Gaby, in the 7^th race feature race.

Last Sunday was Super Sunday at H3R with eight Championship Finals and purses of more than $500,000. And who’s stable reaped the most money on the day? David Pilon.

Of the 12 races last Sunday, Pilon sent out eight starters, the most of any trainer on the afternoon. When the dust settled on the afternoon, his stable raked in nearly $100,000 in purse money. That’s nearly 20% of the entire day’s purses.

“Yes, it was a very nice day for our team,” Pilon said.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Pilon sends out GA Speed Gaby (Windfall Blue Chip) in the 7^th race feature pace on Friday, hoping his stable continues its winning ways.

GA Speed Gaby is going for his third straight win Friday and starts from post three for driver Robert Shepherd. The seven-year-old stallion roared to victory last Friday with a 15 and one-half length romp in 1:54.2, a new lifetime mark. The prior week he also won with ease in 1:55.2.

He is owned by Josee Patry of Saint-Henri De Levis, Quebec and has three wins this season and 12 wins lifetime.

“I got this horse about a month ago,” Pilon explained. “I made some equipment adjustments and shoeing changes but also completely changed his daily training.”

Does GA Speed Gaby have some more in the tank for this week?

GA SPEED GABY REPLAY

“I can’t say if he can go faster,” Pilon said. “I think that these wins are already some good miles for him. The challenge will be to keep him in good shape start after start.”

GA Speed Gaby is moving up in class for Friday’s start. And he is not the only return winner in the field. There are actually four return winners, all of whom could repeat.

Eataams Sportsbaby (post 1) returns to H3R after winning his last start at Rideau Carleton off a 1:54.2 triumph. Press Time (post 8) won with ease by four and three-quarter lengths last week in 1:56.1 and Macho Polo (post 9) was able to grind it out first-over last week and score a neck triumph in 1:57.1.

“He (GA Speedy Gaby) is moving up in class for Friday,” Pilon explained. “And the opponents will be a lot tougher than before. But my horse looks in great shape and Robert Shepherd drives him very well.

“We will of course need a little luck,” Pilon added. “And with a nice mile I think he can beat this class.”

Post time on Friday at H3R is 4:00 pm. For more information and a free race program, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club