Inaugural Francois Carignan Cup at H3R Sunday

Before the start of the 2024 harness racing season at the Hippodrome 3R (H3R), during a joint meeting of representatives from the racetrack, the Association trot et amble du Québec (ATAQ) and the Quebec Regional Fair Circuit, it was decided to revive racing for amateur drivers at both H3R and the Regional Fair Circuit.

The idea was well received by everyone and led by horseman Jean-Francois Reid, a tournament was created for the eight leading amateur drivers and the final of this tournament will take place at H3R on Sunday, October 13.

Amateur drivers donate their 5% earnings to charity and for this special final, the race has been named the Francois Carignan Cup and all of the proceeds from the amateur drivers will go a local Trois-Rivieres organization, Point de Rue.

Carignan, the director of operations at H3R, came to the group explaining that one of his sons suffers from mental health problems and has become homeless over the years, like hundreds, if not thousands, of people in large cities.

Point de Rue has been assisting homeless and social exclusion people since 1993 and at 11:30 am Sunday in the winner’s circle, a presentation will be made to the group with a check for more than $2,300 representing all of the driver’s 5% commission from driving in races.

The inaugural Francois Carignan Cup will take place in the 9^th race pace. The drivers who will be on the track on Sunday for this final: Mathys Lapointe, Mario Dupont, Marc Lemay, Nancy Auger, Roxanne Viau, Nicolas Dechamplain, Daniel Hébert and Nicole Gagné.

Rozanne Viau and Wellavertised (Well Said) are the 5/2 morning line favorite in the Francois Carignan Cup after a strong second place outingl ast week at H3R, timed in 1:56.3.

Also, on the racetrack Sunday will be a pair of $13,500 Three-Year-Old Open events for Quebec-bred or owned trotters and pacers.

The 6^th race co-feature for trotters features 2024 Quebec Champion Cleomax Dunharas (Muscle Mass), one of three fillies taking on colt rivals.

Starting from post two, Cleomax Duharas was unraced at age two and made up for lost time in 2024 with five wins in nine starts, including a lifetime mark of 1:56 at Rideau Carleton. In her $65,000 Quebec Championship final, she was able to come first-over and grind out a one length triumph. Cleomax Duharas will be driven by Pascal Berube.

Other contenders in the race include the entry of MVPs Daughter (post 1) and Last Try (post 7). Both are bred, owned and trained by Jerome Lombart, who will drive MVPs Daughter with Sylvain Lacaille driving Last Try.

Then in the 11^th race the sophomore pacers take to the track for their $13,500 bout with three return winners in the field. They are HP Game On (McWicked), who starts from the rail for driver Antoine Desrochers and last week was able to wire the field at H3R in a lifetime best 1:57.4 mile, his fourth win of the year.

In post three is G A Speed Expert (post 3) for driver Denis St Pierre who is coming into the race off a 2:00.4 romp in a qualifying race and three starts back won at H3R in 1:57.

The third return winner is Dan Speed (post 6) with driver Jessica Turenne. Last week Dan Speed turned on the speed in the backstretch en route to a 1:58 triumph, also a lifetime mark.

First race post time is 12:00 noon Sunday. For more information and a free race program, visit here.

by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club