Trois-Rivieres, QC – On a beautiful sunny day in Quebec, Kinnder High Class continued her harness racing winning ways, capturing her fifth straight win with a romp in the Preferred-Handicapped Trot at the Hippodrome 3R Sunday.
The lone three-year-old filly competed against the top mares and horses at H3R and defeated them soundly for driver Samuel Fillion.
The eighth race co-feature saw Precieuse CC (Claude Beausoleil) go right out to the early lead with Keepall (Stephane Gendron) trying for the early lead but settling for the two-hole spot by the opening quarter mile in :28.2.
Beausoleil gave Precieuse CC a breather going to the half mile in :59.2. That was when Samuel Fillion took Kinnder High Class from fourth place and started up on the outside.
As Kinnder High Class worked her way towards pacesetter Precieuse CC, Fillion took his time, collaring the mare at the three-quarters in 1:29.1 and then Kinnder High Class shot by the leader and opened up on the field.
Coming down the stretch, Kinnder High Class extended her lead to four and one-half lengths, stopping the teletimer in 1:58.4. Precieuse CC was second with Sir Chopin (Carol Voyer) third.
"While watching the race," said trainer Denitza Petrova. "I was more nervous than usual, not because of the class jump, but because I kinda felt the pressure that all eyes are on her because of the jump in class."
It was the second fastest mile in Kinnder High Class's career and her ninth win in just 12 starts this year for owner, breeder and trainer Denitza Petrova of Melbourne. The nine wins by far makes Kinnder High Class the winningest horse at H3R this season. The daughter of Royalty For Life paid $3.20 to win.
"She looked so good at the beginning," Petrova said. "And Samuel looked so confident but still she was far off the leaders at the half mile. As the race goes on, I felt excited and when she exploded, I was in shock! I think Samuel never even pulled the ear plugs on her. She is just unreal and I am the luckiest and proudest girl ever!
"He (Samuel) took his time with Kinnder High Class," Petrova added. "And did not pushed her. He drives her so well."
The ninth race Preferred-Handicapped Pace saw four-time Quebec Champion Atomic Million Am and driver Sylvain Lacaille led from start to finish with ease, going the one-mile race in a speedy 1:55.3.
The pocket-sitting Maracasso (Stephane Gendron) held for second with the first-over Hooter Shooter (Stephane Brosseau) third.
It was the third win this year for Atomic Million Am. The nine-year-old gelded son of Million Dollar Cam was bred and is owned and trained by Alain Martin of Gatineau and paid $3.10 to win. It was the 44th career win for Atomic Million Am.
Track Notes: Sylvain Lacaille had the hot hands at H3R Sunday, scoring a driving triple. Samuel Fillion had a driving double. Trainers Alain Martin and Marc Andre Simoneau each had doubles. Live racing resumes next Sunday, which is the second to last day of racing at H3R this year. For more information, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.
From the Quebec Jockey Club