Two-Year-Old’s on display Saturday at H3R

Trois-Rivieres, QC – A total of 17 two-year-old trotters and pacers will make their 2021 harness racing debuts at the Hippodrome 3R Saturday afternoon.

The special 10-race program is devoted to the Quebec Regional Fair Circuit. Post time on Saturday is 1:00 pm and racing fans (only the first 250) will be allowed to come to the track and watch the races live.

The first two-year-old to compete is actually going against three-year-old’s. In the first race pace, starting on the rail, is Titanium Alpha. This colt by He’s Watching from the Big Jim mare, Ma Terre, is a half brother to Platine Alpha, and both are owned, bred and trained by Sylvain Tremblay for his Alpha Stable of Metabetchouan.

Older sister Platine Alpha has already started her three-year-old campaign at H3R with a record 1:58 clocking and earnings of nearly $30,000. Little brother Titanium Alpha has also gotten off on the right hoof as he won his second qualifying race in 2:03.4 at H3R and is the 7/2 third choice in the morning line with driver Pascal Berube handling the lines.

The second race trot has seven starters. All but one is making their very first start on the racetrack and thus have no prior past performance pages to handicapped. The only horse in the field that has even had a qualifying race is Stella Alpha (post 3), for Sylvain Tremblay. She was third, timed in 2:08.4 in her first qualifier. She is sired by Royalty For Life from the Muscle Mass mare, Éclair Chocolat. That makes her a full sister to undefeated Archimed Alpha (2 for 2 in 2021) who has just begun his three-year-old season.

Stella Alpha will be driven by Pascal Berube.

A Tremblay homebred is also the favorite in the third race pace for two-year-olds. Ritchie Alpha (post 5) will have Berube in the sulky and has competed in two qualifying races, timed in 2:05 each race. He is sired by Shanghai Phil from the Bolero Master mare, Godiva Beachgirl, which makes him a half brother to both Godiva Mackiavelyc (p,1:56.3) and Godiva Lovely Lady (p,1:56.4).

Other sired being represented with two-year-olds racing include Lindys Tru Grit, Explosive Matter, Crazed, Holiday Road, Muscle Mass, Angus Hall, State Treasurer, Sunshine Beach, Sportswriter and Windfall Blue Chip.

The race card has a variety of different races Saturday. There are two events for just trainers driving and one of the races is just for amateur drivers.

Covid protocols will be in place for all spectators attending the races and for the horse people in the race paddock.

Sunday’s regular race card starts at 12:30 pm.

For more information and to get a free race program, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.

From the Quebec Jockey Club