Favorites romp in Future Stars Series

Both of the favorites in the two $8,000 divisions of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old trotters romped to victory in their respective races.

The most impressive was HP Felicity and driver Jocelyn Gendron in the 7^th race division for the fillies.

Leaving from post five, Gendron took his time getting HP Felicity past LA Surprenante (Simon Delisle), taking command at the opening quarter mile in :30. HP Felicity then led the field past the half in 1:01. She was then pressured slightly by a first-over Cleveland Moneyka (Sthane Breposseau) to the three-quarters in 1:32, forcing them to drop into the two-hole.

HP Felicity then pulled away in the stretch for the easy triumph by three and three-quarter lengths in 2:02. Cleveland Monkeyka was second with LA Surprenante third.

It was the second win (both in the series) for the daughter of Muscle Mass. HP Felicity is trained by Jean Tourigny for co-owners Claude Hamel and Michel Damphousse, who also bred the filly. Sent off as the overwhelming 1/9 race favorite, she paid just $2.10 to win.

HP FELICITY REPLAY

In the colt division, a non-wagering race due to a short field of just five starters, Royalty Beer continued his winning ways.

The gelded son of Royalty For Life, Royalty Beer left from post three for driver Kevin Maguire and never looked back. He coasted through slow fractions, then pulled away from the field after the three-quarters and won in a romp by seven and three-quarter lengths in 2:05.

Kenogami Rebel (Stephane Brosseau) sat the two-hole trip but could not keep up and finished second. Stablemate Cleveland Massino (Jean Francois Maguire) was third.

It was the third straight win for Royalty Beer, all in the Future Stars Series. He is trained by Jean Francois Maguire and was bred and is owned by the Maguire Stable of Sainte-Marie.

In the third race Preferred-Handicap Trot, Choo Choo Blue and driver Stephane Brosseau wanted the lead and ended up wiring the field.

Pressured on the outside by Precieuse CC (Kevin Maguire) to a quick opening panel in :28.2, Choo Choo Blue would not give way and forced Precieuse CC to take the two-hole spot.

They went past the half in a slow 1:00.2 as Morally Flexible (Danielr Theoux) came first-over, giving outside cover to Goaltender (Pascal Berube).

Morally Flexible hung tough past the three-quarters in 1:30.4 and around the final turn. Precieuse CC waited in the two-hole for an opening. But as they came down the stretch, Choo Choo Blue still had some late kick to win by two lengths in 2:00.4 Precieuse CC was second with Goaltender third.

It was the third win this year for Choo Choo Blue. The five-year-old mare by Angus Hall is trained by Stephane Brosseau for owner Richard Fertier of Levis and paid $4.00 to win.

Track Notes: Both Jocelyn Gendron and Stephane Brosseau had driving triples Friday. This was the last Friday race card at H3R for 2021. Live racing resumes Sunday with first race post time at 12:10 pm. Featured will be the return of driver Louis-Philippe Roy, who will compete in eight of the ten races. The final round of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old pacers has two $8,000 divisions Sunday, one for the colts featuring Ritchie Alpha (post 5), Y S Mathis Bro (post 9) and Persistant Boy (post 7) and the fillies are headed by Sunjet Ray (post 5), Streakayococo (post 2) and HP Mary Sunshine (post 3). For a free race program, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.

By Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club