Dead heat for win in H3R co-feature

Not even the photo finish camera could separate race favorites Era Of Love and Rec Time to see who won the 5^th race $5,000 Preferred Pace for the mares at the Hippodrome Trois-Rivieres (H3R) in Quebec on Sunday, September 1. It was the first dead heat for win of the season at H3R.

It was Shanghaibluebeach (William Roy) first on the lead with Era Of Love (JK Endofanera) taking the two-hole trip for driver Pascal Berube. Then Berube came back with Era Of Love after a :27.1 opening quarter.

Era Of Love controlled the pace as they went by the half mile in :57 and already coming first-over was Mac N Cheddar (Robert Shepherd) with Rec Time (Huntsville) and driver Denis St Pierre second-over.

Then right before the three-quarters in 1:26.2, Denis St Pierre took Rec Time three-wide and was able to sweep by Mach N Cheddar and on the final turn started to come after Era Of Love.

Mach N Cheddar and Pierre then closed the gap on Era Of Love down the stretch, collaring them at the wire for the dead heat win finish in 1:56.3. Shanghaibluebeach was third, two and three-quarters behind the winners.

It was the second win this season for Era Of Love. The five-year-old roan mare is trained by Jean-Francios Maguire, who co-owns Era Of Love with Jean Allaire. She paid just $2.10 to win.

ERA OF LOVE – REC TIME DEAD HEAT REPLAY

It was the fifth win of the year for Rec Time. The four-year-old mare is trained by Michel Allard for owner Danielle Henri and also paid just $2.10 to win.

By the ninth race the day turned from sunny skies to rain clouds, then misty rain by the time the 10^th race $5,000 Preferred Pace for the horses.

Light The Torch (Always Be Miki) and driver Pascal Berube were made the overwhelming 1/9 race favorite from the rail and rightly so as he led from start to finish.

By the opening quarter mile in :28.3, Light The Torch was on top with Frozen Hanover (Stephane Brosseau) leaving from post eight and getting the two-hole trip while Ritchie Alpha (William Roy) was stuck first-over and no place to go but forward. No Time At All (Simon Delisle) was second-over.

To the half mile in :59.1 and Light The Torch controlled the lead to the three-quarters in 1:28 as Ritchie Alpha began to fade forcing No Time At All three-wide.

By the top of the stretch, Light The Torch got separation from Frozen Hanover and sped away to a three and one-half length triumph in 1:56.4 on the off track. Frozen Hanover was second with Sports Bettor (Denis St Pierre) third.

LIGHT THE TORCH REPLAY

It was the second straight win and seventh of the year for Light The Torch. The four-year-old gelding is trained by Marc-Andre Simoneau and co-owned by him with Jean Fontaine. He paid just $2.20 to win.

Track Notes: Pascal Berube had the hot hands Sunday, winning four races on the card. It is the third time this year he has accomplished that feat. Both Stephane Brosseau and Simon Delisle had driving doubles and Marc-Andre Simoneau had a training double. Next Sunday, September 8, is Super Sunday at H3R with the Quebec-bred Championship Finals for two-and-three-year-olds. 3YO’s race for $65,000 and 2YO’s go for $55,000. Total purses for the day should exceed $500,000, making it the richest day of racing in Quebec this year. Live racing resumes on Friday, September 6 with post time at 4:00 pm. For more information and free race programs, visit here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club