After the all-time total handle record was set last Sunday at Hippodrome 3R, racing is back at Quebec half-miler on Friday, Sept. 15, which is the last Friday twilight race card of the season.
Last Sunday was Super Sunday at 3R with eight Quebec series championships and purses of more than $500,000. And who’s stable reaped the most money on the day? David Pilon.
Of the 12 races last Sunday, Pilon sent out eight starters, the most of any trainer on the afternoon. When the dust settled on the afternoon, his stable raked in nearly $100,000 in purse money. That’s nearly 20 per cent of the entire day’s purses.
“Yes, it was a very nice day for our team,” said Pilon.
Hoping to extend his good fortune from Sunday, Pilon sends out GA Speed Gaby in the seventh race feature pace on Friday.
GA Speed Gaby is going for his third straight win on Friday and will start from post three with driver Robert Shepherd. The seven-year-old son of Windfall Blue Chip roared to victory last Friday with a 15-1/2 length romp in 1:54.2, a new lifetime mark. The prior week, he also won with ease in 1:55.3.
He is owned by Josee Patry of Saint-Henri De Levis, Que., and has three wins this season from 13 outings and 12 wins lifetime from 78 starts.
“I got this horse about a month ago,” explained Pilon. “I made some equipment adjustments and shoeing changes but also completely changed his daily training.”
Does GA Speed Gaby have some more in the tank for this week?
“I can’t say if he can go faster,” said Pilon. “I think that these wins are already some good miles for him. The challenge will be to keep him in good shape start after start.”
GA Speed Gaby is moving up in class for Friday’s start. And he is not the only return winner in the field. There are actually four return winners, all of whom could repeat.
Eataams Sportsbaby (post one) returns to 3R after winning his last start at Rideau Carleton in 1:54.2 for trainer Denis Audet. Press Time (post eight), who is double entered this weekend at 3R, won with ease by 4-3/4 lengths last week in 1:56.1 for Marc-Andre Simoneau and Macho Polo (post nine) was able to grind it out first-over last week and score a neck triumph in 1:57.1.
“He [GA Speed Gaby] is moving up in class for Friday,” explained Pilon. “And the opponents will be a lot tougher than before. But my horse looks in great shape and Robert Shepherd drives him very well.
“We will, of course, need a little luck,” added Pilon. “And with a nice mile, I think he can beat this class.”
Post time on Friday at 3R is 4 p.m.
To view Friday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Friday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)