When Hippodrome 3R opens for the 2023 harness racing season in Trois-Rivieres, Que. on Sunday, April 30, defending leading trainer Sylvain Tremblay says his stable is ready for another good season.
Tremblay is gunning for this third straight training title at 3R.
“To win a trainer’s championship it takes very good horses,” explained Tremblay. “The season is long [April to November] and anything can happen. I gain experience every year and I prepare my horses better every year. I think I can do well again this season.
“The winter has been pretty good here,” said Tremblay. “Not too much snow and not too cold. We were able to prepare the horses as usual.”
Last season was another breakout year for Tremblay at 3R. His Alpha Stable sent out 129 starters who won 30 races, was second 21 times and third 15 times for a “batting average” of .361. His 30 wins was almost twice as many as second place finisher Francis Richard and Marc-Andre Simoneau, who were tied with 17 wins each.
What does Sylvain Tremblay’s Alpha Stable have ready for the 2023 season at 3R?
“The stable has several good horses,” said Tremblay. “Of course, Stella Alpha, Platine Alpha, Albert Alpha...are all three ready to fire. I can also count on Keepall, who will be back in the races shortly, and [11-year-old] Maracasso, who still wants to be among the best in the team despite his age.”
Tremblay was also very pleased when the Quebec Jockey Club announced earlier this year that the Quebec-Bred Series for older trotters and pacers will return in 2023.
“The announcement of the return of the series for ages four and up made me really happy,” explained Tremblay. “It is essential to have a series like this if we want Quebec breeders to stand out and continue with young horses. These series ensure this continuity, which is so fragile but so essential for races in Quebec.”
For the 2023 race season, Tremblay says his stable is ready to go.
“Currently the stable has 14 horses in training,” said Tremblay. “Several are experienced horses. Two three-year-olds who did not race at two. Only two two-year-old pacers this year. The team is in a good position to compete throughout the season.”
Usually, Tremblay’s Alpha Stable has some of his homebreds ready for the stakes season, but not this year.
“For the 2023 season, I had to make some purchases with partners,” explained Tremblay. “No babies were foaled on the farm in 2021. So, we bought a colt from Yves Sarrazin. A Courtly Choice called Dream Choice. An association with L'Ecurie HP and Claude Hamel has made it possible to add a second pacer named HP Song Writer. These two foals are in constant progress. They are doing very well.”
On opening day at 3R this Sunday, Tremblay will send out seven starters, among them his top trotting mare, Stella Alpha, who is the race favourite in the seventh race co-feature.
Last year, Stella Alpha was the winningest horse at 3R. Seven of her 11 wins were scored at 3R, including a track record 1:58 mile. She has affectionately been named the “Princess Of Trot” at 3R.
“Stella will start her season at 3R and stay there until the end of the Quebec stakes,” said Tremblay. “Then, if all goes well for her, I will look at the possibility of sending her where she can demonstrate all her talent.”
Tremblay also credits his stable employees with the success of the stable.
“All our successes are a team effort,” said Tremblay. “This year I can still count on Emma Bouchard, Daniel Potvin, Yves Corbin, Carl Lapointe and Jean-Francois Gauthier who give me a solid helping hand in the stable.
“I think the 2023 season will be pretty amazing,” stated Tremblay.
To view the entries for the 2023 season opener at 3R, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(QJC)