Two-year-old trotting fillies and colts are in the harness racing limelight Friday (July 19) at the Hippodrome 3R (H3R) in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec with the start of the Future Stars Series.
The series will feature three weeks of preliminary round competition with the top eight point earners returning on Sunday, September 8 for their respective $55,000 finals.
The fillies are featured in the 6th race with eight youngsters battling it out for a purse of $10,000.
Heading the lineup is Miche Charm (Muscle Mass) from post seven for driver Denis St Pierre. Miche Charm is trained by Jeremy Marcotte for owner Denis Marcotte of Notre-Dame De La Paix.
In her last start, a two-year-old qualifier at Rideau Carleton Raceway, Miche Charm was very impressive, winning with ease by one and one-half lengths in 2:02. She is from the 100% producing dam, Exquisite Charm, and is a full/half-sister to five additional foals that have made the races.
The hometown favorite is Chic Choc Rose (Royalty For Life) from post three for trainer-driver Marie-Claude Auger, who happens to be the breeder of the filly that she co-owns with Catheline Pelletier.
Undefeated in both her first pari-mutuel start and both of her baby races, Chic Choc Rose is a half-sister to Quebec-bred champion last year and recent H3R Breeders Trophy winner Sensi Amnesia, also from the Auger-Pelletier stable.
With only three colts entered in the first round of the Future Stars Series, they will race between the 1st and 2nd races Friday for a purse of $10,000.
Featured is the well-bred Im Just A Gigolo (Lookslikeachpndale) who is a half-brother to trotting stars at H3R, X O X O and Lucky Promisess.
A well-matched field of trotters will compete in the 9th race $6,500 event for Quebec-bred highsteppers. Featured are recent winners at H3R, X O X O (post 1) and Only For Justice (post 6), taking on Frido PV, Thats Hooligan and Ciel Bleu.
First race post time on Friday is 4:00 pm. For more information and free race program, visit here.
by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club