Young trotters in Hippodrome 3R spotlight

Trois-Rivieres, QC – The two-year-old harness racing trotters own the spotlight at the Hippodrome 3R on Friday (July 22) with the opening round of the Future Stars Series for the colts and fillies.

The series features three rounds of preliminary competition with the top eight point earners returning on Sunday, September 11 for their $55,000 respective finals.

The colts are the first on the card in the 4th race with a purse of $10,000 and some of the eight starters are brothers and sisters to former Quebec-Bred Champions.

The race favorite is the entry from owner, breeder and driver Jerome Lombart of Bromont. He has Illusioniste Gale (Prestidigitator, post 5) and C Un Bon Deal (Wheeling N Dealin, post 7). Illusioniste Gale is the stronger of the two colts. He is from the Mr Lavec mare, Promising Lavec. That makes him a half-brother to two good trotters, Lucky Promises 6,1:58.2h ($87,574) and X O X O 4,1:56h ($60,259).

Both colts have raced with Illusioniste Gale finishing fourth in a race at H3R, race timed in 2:02.3.

Another well-bred starter is Capteur De Rire (Lookslikeachpndale) from post six for driver Guy Corbiel. Bred and owned by the Provoquante Stable of Mirabel, Capteur De Rire is from the Monte Hall mare Noblesse, which makes him a half-brother to trotting greats Capteur De Reve 7, 1:55F ($319,609), who races on the same card in the 3rd race Preferred-Handicap Trot, and Babidibou 3, 1:56 ($143,490).

Capteur De Rire was second at H3R in his lone qualifying race, timed in 2:06.

“So far he does everything right,” according to trainer Maxime Velaye, “I know he has big shoes to fill because of his two brothers who both won the Cup at age two. I think he can do it as he has shown us some good ability.”

Also in the field is Kinnder Thinktwice (Wheeling N Dealin, post 4), who was bred and owned and trained by Denitza Petrova of Melbourne.

From the Majestic Son mare Majestic Joy, Kinnder Thinktwice has major Quebec champion blood flowing through his veins as he is a half-brother to trotting stars Kinnder High Class 3,1:56.2 ($63,903), Kinnder Dangerous 4,1:58.1h ($60,103), Kinnderunbelievable 3,1:59.3h ($40,132) and Kinnder Dangerzone 4,1:59.3h ($33,877).

He is undefeated in two qualifying races at H3R, the fastest a 2:05.2 mile.

The trotting fillies are featured in the 6th race with eight starters going for a purse of $10,000.

The morning line favorite is Kenogami Courage (Lookslikeachpndale), who drew the far outside post eight for driver Stephane Brosseau. This filly from the Ken Warkentin mare, Profound Wisdom, is a half-sister to Quebec Champion Kenogami Coco 4, 1:53.4f ($189,596).

She comes to H3R for the first time for trainer Jean-Francois Reid, who co-bred and owns the filly with Marie-Claude Reid, Stephane Brosseau and Maurice Houle.

Kenogami Courage has two starts already and was victorious in a $22,200 division of the Ontario Sire Stakes Grassroots at Hiawatha Horse Park in 2:02.1.

Another well-bred starter is Tite Beer En Mass (Muscle Mass) who goes from post seven for driver Kevin Maquire. Tite Beer En Mass is from the Have A Beer mare Beer Maggs.

She is a half-sister to two Quebec champions in Hall Win 3,1:59.3h ($55,433), who races Friday in the 3rd race Preferred-Handicap Trot and Royalty Beer 3,1:59.3 ($32,159).

Bred and owned by the Maguire Stable of Sainte-Marie, Tite Beer En Mass is trained by Jean-Francois Maquire. Who did have high hopes for his filly.

“If you had asked me that question 6-7 weeks ago,” Jean-Francois Maquire said.” I’d say she’s faster than her two brothers were at this time. Unfortunately, she got hurt and now we are trying to fix her problems. It is not easy for her.”

First race post time Friday is 4:00 pm. For a free race program, click here.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club