Despite Mother Nature providing early downpours that left the Hippodrome 3R track in "good" shape with a two second allowance, the harness racing action was top notch on the half mile oval Sunday.
In the eighth race co-feature pace, Rainbow Palace once again could not defeat her older rivals as the betting favorite for driver Francis Picard.
The lone filly in the race by Royal Mattjesty went out to the early lead but could not hold off G Zattara and driver Steeven Genois, who took command right before the opening quarter mile in :28.3.
Then able to back down the pace slightly, Genois and G Zattara to the half mile marker in :59.2, they were challenged first-over by Matts Phil (Pascal Berube) with Reel after a late driver change to Mario Charron, was able to get the second-over trip.
By the three-quarters, Berube and Matts Phil cleared to the lead in 1:29.2 and seemingly left Reel parked out and the filly, Rainbow Palace, stuck behind horses with plenty of speed.
As they came down to the wire, Reel and Charron would not give up and closed with a burst of late speed to win by a half-length in 1:59.3 over Matts Phil. Rainbow Palace found clearance and was third.
It was the second win in ten starts this year for Reel. The four-year-old gelded son of Shadow Play is trained by Maxime Velaye and owned by Guy Corbeil of Mirable, QC. He paid $7.00 to win.
The betting public did not allow the off track to change their minds as Miss Jackpot and driver Serge Ouellet were parked first-over for most of the one mile co-feature trot and still were able to win by one and three-quarter lengths in 2:01.4. They paid $5.20 to win.
Legendary driver Gaeton Lamy scored his first win in his comeback from retirement on Sunday. Lamy went wire to wire in the ninth race pace with Cliff Drummond, winning with east by two and three-quarter lengths in a quick 1:58.2.
The first Wednesday night live program takes place next week with first race post time at 7:00 pm. For more information visit www.quebecjockeyclub.com.
Laurent Sauve