Trois-Rivieres, QC – Harness racing trotters will be in the spotlight at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday with nine high-steppers going to post in the Preferred 1-2 Handicap.
Four-time Quebec Bred Champion Capteur De Reve makes his 2021 debut from post 7 in the first race. Now age 7, the gelded son of Muscle Mass enters the race off a qualifying win for trainer Maxime Velaye and will be driven by Stephane Gendron.
A 25-time race winner for the Provoquante Stable of Mirabel, who bred Capteur De Reve, is the 4-1 third choice in the race.
The race favorite is Profound Paragon (post 8), who in his last start in this class, was able to come from behind and draw off in a 1:58.3 score for driver Jean Bernard Renaud and trainer Francis Richard.
Another return winner in the race is Bucketlist Hanover (post 1) and last week for driver Samuel Fillion, the eight-year-old gelding by Cantab Hall was able to wire the field at H3R in an impressive three and one-quarter length romp in 1:57.3, the fastest trotting mile at H3R this season.
Other top contenders in the field include Captain Krupnik (post 8), Severus Hanover (post 6) and Eau Naturelle (post 5).
There are two co-featured Preferred events for the pacers on Sunday.
The pacing mares do battle in the third race where Y C Easy goes for her third straight win in the Preferred-Handicap Pace for owner-trainer Carl Duguay of Trois-Rivieres.
The six-year-old Sportswriter mare has wired the field in both her starts at H3R, the fastest in 1:56.4 with Louis-Philippe Roy driving. This week Jonathan Lachance will be in the sulky.
The ninth race Preferred-Handicap Pace is another slugfest of the top older pacers with nine starters going to post.
Both Preferred winners are in the field and the favorite is Littlebitaswagger, who drew post nine for driver Francis Picard and owner-trainer Charles Gaudreault. The nine-year-old by Santanna Blue Chip had an inside post in his last start and went right to the lead and never looked back, scoring in 1:55.3.
He will be taking on rival Dreydl Hanover (post 6), who defeated Littlebitaswagger in their last meeting, sitting on his back the entire mile and then outkicking him to the wire to win in 1:55.4.
Other top pacers in the field include Mickeymaksomespeed (post 7), Hooter Shooter (post 5) and Somewhere Bettor (post 8).
Post time Sunday is 12:30 pm. For a free race program, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.
From the Quebec Jockey Club