The Future Stars Series for two-year-old pacing fillies and colts got underway at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday (July 21) with four $7,500 opening-round divisions.
After three weeks of preliminary competition, the top eight point earners in the series will return to ‘H3R’ on Sunday, September 8 for their respective $55,000 finals.
The fastest of Sundays four divisions proved to be Race 6, which was the second colt division. Ontario invader My Bettors Del had an easy time wiring the field. After leaving from Post 5 for driver Stephane Brosseau, My Bettors Del ‘out kicked’ Eclat De Rire (driven by Stephane Gendron) for the early lead by the :29 quarter pole. From there, he cut the fractions in :59.2 and 1:30 and held the field at bay. He won by three lengths in 1:59.1. Eclat De Rire was second with Kinnder Big Boss (Justin Filion) third. Trained by Jacques Dupont, My Bettors Del is a colt by Bettors Delight that is co-owned by Yves Sarrazin of La Presentation with breeder Jam Auden, Inc. of Portneut. He paid the mandatory $2.10 to win. It was his first pari-mutuel win in four starts.
There was little doubt who would win the first colt division (Race 3). The public made Whitecookie an overwhelming 1-9 favourite and he raced just like it. Whitecookie started from the rail for driver Marie Claude Auger of Trois-Rivieres who also trains and owns the son of Windfall Blue Chip. The duo went right to front, held the field at bay and went on to win by four and one-half lengths in 2:01.2. Retour Au Jeu (Stephane Gendron) finished second and PLD Needy (Stephane Brosseau) third. The victory was the third consecutive victory for the unbeaten Whitecookie. He paid just $2.20 to win.
The rain clouds opened up for Race 4, the second Breeders Cup division for fillies, which led the track to be downgraded to ‘good.’ The good track had no effect on Acaena De Chakrika. The daughter of Sunshine Beach, who hosted Stephane Brosseau in the sulky, came first-over early to grab the lead by the opening quarter mile. She led the rest of the race and won by one length in 2:02.2. SOS Cupcake and driver Daniel Laflamme made a race of it, as they came after Acaena De Chakrika on the final turn, but could not collar the race winner and had to settle for second. Three Star Sena (Pascal Berube) finished third. The win was the first victory for Acaena De Chakrika, who is trained by Daniel Martin and was bred and is owned by Diane Lepine of Quebec City. She paid $6.00 to win.
In Race 2, which was the first Future Stars division for the fillies, a real battle ensued in the backstretch. Cant Fight Fate (Tyler Jones) was on the lead and Lotus Sena was sitting in the two-hole for driver Pascal Berube when Berube decided to come first-over. Cant Fight Fate went head to head with Lotus Sena, but, on the final turn, Lotus Sena took command and went on to win by two lengths in 2:03.4. Cant Fight Fate finished second and Whitemountain Ruby (Francis Picard) finished third. The win was a maiden victory for Lotus Sena. The daughter of Windfall Blue Chip is trained by Serge Nadeau of Scott, who also bred and owns Lotus Sena. She paid $9.80 to win.
Track Notes: Carol Voyer led all drivers and trainers Sunday, as she sent out and drove two winners. Driver Stephane Brosseau also recorded a driving double, as he won two of the Future Stars divisions. Pascal Berube had a driving double.
As part of National Caretakers Apperception Day, the name of every groom was announced in the post parade.
Live racing at Hippodrome 3R will resume on Friday evening (July 26), as the second leg of the Breeders Cup Series for three-year-old trotters will take to the track. The pacers will be in action on Sunday.
For more information, a free race program or to view the races live at H3R, visit quebecjockeyclub.com.
To view the harness racing results for Sunday at H3R, click the following link: Sunday Results – Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from the Quebec Jockey Club)