Roughly 1,200 racegoers flocked to Saint-Esprit, Quebec this past Saturday afternoon (July 29) to take in an 11-dash card of fair racing.
The event took place at the Allard family farm, and the Allards worked very hard to ensure that the seventh annual race day on the farm went off without a hitch (the event was part of the Circuit Regional des Courses de Chevaux du Quebec program). The Allards put together a full day of promotions, food and fun for the whole family, especially the kids. After the races were done, the day was capped off by a pig roast that was well attended.
When it came to the on-track action, the Simon Allard-driven and Michel Allard-trained Royal Kee Wee N ($2.40) recorded the fastest win time of the day, which was a one and a half-length score in 1:58. It was a memorable win for Simon, as it had been more than four years since he had been able to make it back to race on the farm during fair day, which is an event that is very special to the family. The occasion was marked with a large winner’s circle celebration, which featured many of Simon’s friends and family.
The large winner’s circle celebration after Royal Kee Wee N’s victory
The day was much more than the Allards winning races, though – one of the promotions saw an equine dubbed as ‘the world’s fastest pony’ take part in a half-mile time trial against a Standardbred. The day was also a true showcase of young driving talent, as 10 young pilots between the ages of 18 and 30 were able to get up behind their mounts and put on a show for all to see. For example, 21-year-old driver Jessica Turenne got up to win Race 10 with Seawind Hudson in 1:59 and returned a $6.70 win mutuel. Earlier on the program (Race 8), 22-year-old Robert Gentile broke his driving maiden aboard Imagine Speed, who stopped the clock in 1:59 and returned $7.20 to win.
Jessica Turenne, pictured steering one of her mounts home in Saint-Esprit on Saturday, July 29, 2017
Danielle Allard, the matriarch of the family, told Trot Insider that herself, Rene, Simon, and Michel would like to thank everybody that came out to make the day a success, and that includes the drivers, trainers and horsepeople that helped put on the show.
To view the harness racing results from Saturday at Saint-Esprit, click the following link: Saturday Results – Saint-Esprit.