National Debt toys with field at Hippodrome 3R

Trois-Rivieres, QC – Parked out first-over from the start of the race, National Debt (Allamerican Native) seemingly toyed with the field in capturing the $7,000 Preferred-Handicap Pace at the Hippodrome 3R Sunday, July 10.

Spectrum Seelster (Francis Picard), who always does his best racing on the front-end, went right to the lead at the start of the 9^th race co-feature. Following in the pocket was Mickeymaksomespeed (Kiwon Waldron) and floating on the outside was National Debt and driver Pascal Berube.

Past the opening quarter mile in an easy :28 seconds, Spectrum Seelster and Picard led the way as Pascal took their time moving National Debt first-over, getting to the leader at the half mile in a quick :56.4 as the tempo of the race picked up.

Down the backstretch Historire Enchantee (Simon Delisle) was enjoying a great second-over trip as National Debt sat outside of pacesetter Spectrum Seelster past the three-quarters in 1:25.1.

Then on the final turn Picard began urging Spectrum Seelster to try and get some clearance on the turn but it was to no avail as Berube lifted the line to National Debt in the stretch and they pulled away for a two-length triumph in 1:54.1. Spectrum Seelster was second with Mickeymaksomespeed third.

It was the third win in the last four starts for National Debt and his seventh triumph of the season for the eleven-year-old stallion. He is trained by Yves Tessier for owner Francois Morin of Beauceville. Off as the 1/5 favorite, he paid $2.30 to win.

NATIONAL DEBT REPLAY

It would turn out to be another big day for H3R’s leading driver, Pascal Berube, as he would end the afternoon card with four winners.

The $7,000 Preferred-Handicap Mares Pace saw even money race favorite La Petite Grise change tactics with driver Pascal Berube and did not leave from the starting gate. In fact, she got away last at the start.

It was Little T (Allamerican Native) and driver Stephane Brosseau who went right to the lead with ease followed by Outrageous Song (Robert Shepherd) in the pocket seat. They paced to the opening quarter in :27.3.

Berube then started to move La Petite Grise first-over from last place and was able to flush out Sophies Cam and driver Francis Picard. Little T was still comfortable on the lead going past the half mile in :57.4.

In the backstretch it looked as if Sophies Cam was stalled first-over and Berube quickly moved La Petite Grise three-wide but failed to be able to clear at the three-quarters in 1:27.4.

Meanwhile, Little T and Brosseau were still in command on the final turn as both Sophies Cam and La Petite Grise were gaining ground for the stretch battle.

Little T still had something left in the tank and was able to hold on to her lead, winning by only a long neck over Sophies Cam with Outrageous Song third and La Petite Grise fourth. Time of the mile was 1:57.1

For Little T, a four-year-old mare, it was her fifth win of the year for owner-trainer Jean-Francois Reid of Anjou. She paid $11.90 to win.

LITTLE T REPLAY

The first race for two-year-olds took place Sunday in the 3^rd race with two colts and seven filly pacers showed their early talents.

It was Godiva Shadow Gal with driver Robert Shepherd first on the lead with race favorite River Sena going off-stride on the first turn.

Past the first quarter in :29.3, Albert Alpha and driver Pascal Berube came first-over and took command with Vent Du Sud (Francis Picard) first-over as they went by the half mile in 1:00.

The field then spread out in the backstretch with Albert Alpha enjoying a comfortable lead past the three-quarters in a mile 1:32. Then on the final turn Shepherd came after Berube with Godiva Shadow Girl.

Those two would then battle down the stretch with Godiva Shadow Girl coming on for the win by one-quarter length over Albert Alpha in 2:02.4. Got Beach Body (Jonathan Lachance) was third.

A two-year-old filly by Shadow Play from the Bolero Master mare Godiva Beachgirl, Godiva Shadow Girl paid $13.30 in her first career pari-mutuel start. She is trained by Lyne Asselin for owner-breeder Raymond Larose of St-Henri-De-Levis.

GODIVA SHADOW GIRL REPLAY

Track Notes: In addition to Berube’s four wins, Stephane Brosseau had a driving triple while both Yannick Marquis and Yves Tessier had training doubles. The 2022 Quebec Sire Stakes gets underway next Friday, July 15 with the opening round of the Breeders Trophy Series for three-year-old colt and filly trotters. First race post time is 4:00 pm. For more information about H3R, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

By Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club