Twice An Angel is twice as good at H3R

Trois-Rivieres, QC – Spotting race leader Hammering Haley a six-length lead going into the backstretch the final time, Twice An Angel and driver Stephane Gendron proved to be too tough in capturing the 6th race Mares Preferred at the Hippodrome 3R Sunday.

The sixth race feature began with Hammering Haley and driver Francis Picard leaving from post one and shooting out to a three-length lead by the opening quarter mile in :27.4. Sitting second was Sophies Cam (Stephane Brosseau) with Twice An Angel in third place.

Going by the half mile pole in :56.4, Hammering Haley was still in command by three lengths as Gendron moved Twice An Angel to the outside and slowly began picking up the pace. Then in the backstretch Twice An Angel nearly collared Hammering Haley as Picard pulled the earplugs and his mare was able to park out Twice An Angel past the three-quarters in 1:26.3 and kept her out around the final turn.

Then as they straighten out for the stretch drive, Twice An Angel showed why she was bet down as the even money favorite, pulling away for a three length triumph over Y C Easy (Steeven Genois) with Hammering Haley third.

It was the second win this year for Twice An Angel. She is a seven-year-old mare by Dragon Again. Trained and co-owned by Charles Gaudreault with Maxim Gaudreault. She paid $4.00 to win.

The two-year-old pacers were on display in the second race where GA Speed Arthur and driver Pascal Berube was able to come first-over in the backstretch to collar stablemate GA Speed Semy (Alain Carrier) and then beat Ibiza Panic (Francis Picard) to the wire in a close head triumph in 2:01.2. GA Speed Semy was third.

It was the first career start for GA Speed Semy and thus a lifetime mark. The colt is sired by Sunshine Beach from the Yankee Skyscraper mare, R Ciao Baby. She is trained and owned by Alain Carrier of St-Henri-De-Levis and paid $3.10 to win.

Zar E IP, the lone three-year-old pacing filly racing against four-year-old horses and mares in the 4th race, posted her third straight triumph of the year for driver Pascal Berube. The daughter of Up The Credit, a full sister to Hurryupatthebeach p,2,1:58.2f, won by one length in 1:58.2 over Gambler Panic (Francis Picard) and You Rock Girl Kir (Stephane Brosseau). She paid just $2.10 to win.

Zar E IP is now tied with SOS Turbo as the winningest horses at H3R this year, each with three victories.

Track Notes: Three drivers had two wins each on Sunday. They were Carol Voyer, Pascal Berube and Stephane Gendron. Also scoring trainer doubles were Carol Voyer and Charles Gaudreault. Live racing resumes at H3R next Friday afternoon with first race post time at 4:00 pm. For more information, visit www.hippodrome3R.ca.

From the Quebec Jockey Club