TROIS-RIVIERES, Quebec – Unable to finish better than 5th place in three prior tries, Bastiano put it all together Tuesday evening at the Hippodrome 3R, winning the fourth and final preliminary round of the Future Stars Series.
It was perfect timing for the victory as it comes with a spot for Bastiano in the $55,000 final on Sunday, September 4 at 3R for the Future Stars Final. His victory came in the colt division for two-year-olds.
Leaving from post two for driver Rheo Filion, Bastiano went right to the early lead. But a stubborn Sometimes When and driver Guy Gagnon came right after Bastiano and Filion and those two raced side by side for rest of the one mile.
As they continued to race head and head down the stretch, it was not until the final strides that Bastiano sealed the victory by a quarter length in 2:03.1. Kinnder Dangerous (Justin Filion) was third.
It was the maiden victory for Bastiano in just his fifth lifetime start. The gelded son of Angus Hall is trained by Eric Gnocchini, and co-owned by Gnocchini with Paul Lavigne and Gestion Marc Lemay, Inc. of Quebec.
In the filly division, Joyce Lavec and driver Pascal Berube won in a romp by the length of the stretch for her third win in just four lifetime starts.
But it was not that good at the start of the race as Joyce Lavec broke at the start and spotted the field more than 10 lengths by the opening quarter mile.
Once Berube had his filly back on stride, she tore after the race leaders, caught them by the second turn and then pulled away from the field to win by 21 and one-half lengths in a slow 2:09.3. Muscle Do (Gaetan Lamy) was second with KFB Filante (Jonathan Lachance) third.
Trained by Dany Fontaine, Joyce Lavec is a daughter of Mr Lavec, bred and owned by Jean Berthiaume of Sorel-Tracy, QC.
Both of the races Tuesday were non-wagering events.
Track Notes: Driver Louis-Philippe Roy increased his lead as the top dash winning driver at the Hippodrome 3R this season scoring four winners on the night.
Live racing resumes at 3R on Sunday with the final preliminary round of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old pacing colts and fillies.
Coming up Sunday, September 4 will be the finals of both the Breeders Cup Series for three-year-olds and the Future Stars Series for two-year-olds. Eight championship finals with total purses of $480,000. It will be the richest day of racing at 3R this season.
From the Quebec Jockey Club