Too tough to call in Breeders Trophy Series

 Trois-Rivieres, QC – There are eight two-year-old pacing colts that will compete in Sunday’s (Aug. 21) final preliminary round of the Breeders Trophy Series at the Hippodrome 3R.

And who will win the $10,000 5^th race co-feature? That’s too tough a call to make right now.

The morning line favorite is the entry from former H3R leading trainer Maxime Velaya of Maitre De La Scene (Hes Watching) and Aladdin (Shadow Play). Aladdin, with Samuel Fillion in the bike from post 2 is the stronger part of the entry.

Last week Aladdin returned to Rideau Carleton Raceway, was parked first-over in an overnite race and was able to grind out a 1:55.2 triumph for Fillion. In his prior start at H3R he broke stride and was 8^th. Which Aladdin will show up Sunday is the question.

Maitre De La Scene goes from post one for driver Jessica Turenne and is still a maiden after six starts this season. He was second, timed in 1:58.3 on Thursday at Rideau Carleton. The entry was bred and is owned by Guy Corbeil of Mirabel.

There is also Titanium Alpha (Hes Watching) from post three for driver Stephane Brosseau. He was given a perfect drive last week and just got up at the wire in a lifetime mark of 1:58.2 for trainer and co-owner Yannick Marquis. Titanium Alpha sports four wins in seven starts this year.

Jack Panic (Sportswriter) starts from post six with Robert Shepherd in the bike. Back on July 31 he closed from 7^th place at the three quarters and blew away the field in a lifetime mark of 1:57.3 at H3R for trainer Francis Richard. Then he missed a few weeks and qualified last week with a win in 2:01.

Bred and owned by Brian Paquet of Quebec City, Jack Panic is making only his third start this season.

And what about Chickaboom (Betterthancheddar) from post seven for driver Francis Picard? Two starts back he won a division of the series by wiring the field in 1:54.3 and has a qualifying record this year of 1:53.1 at Mohawk Park. Then in the second leg of the series on July 31 he had no pace from post eight and was fifth.

Chickaboom was bred and is owned by Harold Duguay of Pabos and has but the lone win in six starts this year.

We cannot forget the remainder of the field that includes Le Massif (Shanghai Phil) from post four for driver Steeven Genois, Got Hot Mom (Hes Watching) in post five with Jonathan Lachance in the sulky and Ritchie Alpha (Shanghai Phil) in post eight with Kiwon Waldron driving. All three have been close to the action in most of their starts.

It is close contests like this race that makes harness racing so great when anyone of the eight horses in the field has a shot at winning.

There is also a $10,000 division of the Breeders Trophy Series for three-year-old pacing fillies in the 7^th race Sunday.

Majo Sport Bella (Sportswriter) drew the rail and is the 5/2 favorite for driver Jonathan Lachance and rightly so as she is undefeated in her two starts this year.

Unraced at age two, Major Sport Bella lone starts have been in the Breeders Trophy Series and an overnite where she was victorious in both events, the fastest her last start where she romped by four and one-quarter lengths in 1:59.3 in the series.

Trained by Normand Bardier, Jr. for owner Lynda Fortin of Mirabel, Major Sport Bella has beaten all of her six rivals in the race.

Her toughest rivals will be Shes Rockandfame (Hes Watching) from post five for driver Samuel Fillion and Godiva Me Amour (Shanghai Phil) in post seven for driver Robert Shepherd.

Shes Rockandfame has a win in the series in 2:00.4 and a record at H3R of 1:58.1 while Godiva Me Amour is coming off a 2:00 lifetime mark in an overnite at H3R.

In the 6^th race Preferred Handicap Pace, Jaydens Place (Vintage Master), returns to H3R after winning four of his last five starts on the Quebec Regional Fair Circuit. The most impressive of his wins was his last start where Stephane Gendron drove him to a ten-length romp in 5:16. That was the Quebec record for a 2.5 mile race.

Also, in the race are returning winners Siddhartha (post 6), Snap Test (post 4) and Goldinthebadlands (post 4).

Post time Sunday is 12:00 noon. For a free race program, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club