On Sunday (October 22) at Hippodrome 3R, the morning line favourite, Wildriverbumblebee, was scratched ‘sick’ for his second straight start, the Invitational Pace, which left the event a wide-open affair – except no one told that to Bali.
Bali led from start to finish with ease during the program’s feature contest (Race 8).
After having left quickly from Post 5, Bali and driver Sylvain Lacaille sped to the quarter pole in :27.2 with Glass Shadow (driven by Pierre Luc Roy) in the pocket and Crombie A (Brett Macdonald) parked first-over.
Crombie A put pressure on Bali, and the duo made its way down to the half mile marker in a quick :55.4. Once they reached the backstetch, Bali and Lacaille started to open up on the field. They led by three and one-half lengths at the three-quarters. Nobody tried to mount a challenge until National Debt and driver Stephane Gendron made a three-wide brush heading into the final turn. But the effort was futile, as Bali was at his best for Lacaille and they won going away by six open lengths in 1:53.3. National Debut barely held off Rainbow Palace (Francis Picard) for the place spot.
Not only was it the tenth win this year for Bali, a six-year-old gelded son of Dali, but also his third victory in his four starts for trainer Marie Claude Auger. Bali was bred and is owned by Denise Auger of Trois-Riveres and paid $6.70 to win.
Caroluzzo and driver Stephane Gendron has little trouble wiring the field during the program’s featured trot (Race 7), as the duo won by three and one-quarter lengths in 2:00.
Track Notes: Driver Steeven Genois has the hot hands at H3R Sunday, scoring a driving triple. It was the first time this season that Genois has scored three winners on the race program.
To view the harness racing results for Sunday at Hippodrome 3R, click the following link: Sunday Results – Hippodrome 3R.
Live racing resumes next Sunday with first race post time at 12:30 pm. For more information visit quebecjockeyclub.com.
(Quebec Jockey Club)