Competing in the first event on the harness racing program that was dedicated to the Quebec Regional Fair Circuit, Emotion Riches nearly tied the track record for his age, gait and gender.
Owned and trained by Cassandra Lecourt of Mirabel, Emotions Riches was driven by Tyler Jones. They started from post five and left some out of the starting gate as Eyes Of Justice (Steeven Genois) was first on the lead.
Jones kept Emotions Riches on the outside and was parked out by Eyes Of Justice through a :30.1 first quarter before being able to clear to the lead. Once on top, Emotions Riches kept the field at bay, going to the half mile in 1:01.3 and the three-quarters in 1:32.2 before kicking in a :29.3 last quarter mile and pulling away from the field to win by ten and one-quarter lengths in 2:02.1.
Eyes Of Justice was second with Aoki (Herve Kirouas) third.
For Emotions Riches, his time of 2:02.1 was just three-fifths of a second from tying the track record of 2:01.3 that is co-held by Jobie Tempest (1993) and Cesar Duharas (2018). The two-year-old son of Wheeling N Dealing paid $5.50 to win.
The two-year-old pace in the second race saw Shanghibluebeach and driver Pascal Berube lead from start to finish in 2:04.3. The filly by Shanghai Phil won by four open lengths for owner/trainer Pierre Leclerc of Louisville and paid $4.00 to win.
In the 8th race Challenge Cup for Quebec Regional Fair Drivers only, Antoine Desrochers, 32, of Warwick was able to lead from start to finish with Matts Phil in 2:03.3. They won by one and one-quarter lengths over SOS Mach Xtreme (Roxanne Viau) and Lookin Ata Winner (Mario Morel). Matts Phil is trained and co-owned by Antoine with Louis Desrocher.
Track Notes: Because of COVID-19, the Quebec Regional Fair Circuit that is usually held at fair tracks throughout Quebec, was canceled for 2020. The Quebec Jockey Club agreed to have four special Saturday programs devoted to horses who would have raced in the fairs. Live racing resumes at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday with a full race program beginning at 1:00 pm. For a free race program, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.
From the Quebec Jockey Club