TROIS-RIVIERES, Quebec – Real Lucky Day didn't need any real luck in making his harness racing pari-mutuel debut a winning one Tuesday evening at the Hippodrome 3R.
Competing for the first time in a betting race, a division of the third round of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old trotters, Real Lucky Day and driver Stephane Brosseau teamed up to take the lead in the first race by the opening quarter mile and then held the rest of the field at bay in posting a two-length triumph in 2:03.
It was the fastest mile by any two-year-old trotter this season at 3R.
Trained by Yves Filion for owner/breeder R L Belanger of Laval, Quebec, Real Lucky Day is a colt sired by Donato Hanover from the Self Possessed mare, Norway No Day and paid just $2.40 to win as the wagering favorite.
Previous series winner, Kinnder Dangerous (Justin Filion) was second with Yoan Bayama (Yves Filion) third.
In the third race filly's division, it was Joyce Lavec and driver Pascal Berube who stole the show as they left from post five, took command of the race and said goodbye to the rest of field as they went on to score in a romp by six and one-quarter lengths in 2:06.3.
Muscle Do (Gaetan Lamy) was second with Taurus P V (Stephane Brosseau) third.
It was the second win in the Future Stars Series for Joyce Lavec. The daughter of Mr Lavec from the Victory's Force mare, Sam Valley is trained by Dany Fontaine for owner/breeder Jean Berthiaume of Sorel-Tracy, Quebec and paid $3.90 to win.
TRACK NOTES: All eyes will be on the Hippodrome 3R Wednesday morning for their special press conference for the drawing of post positions for the $200,000 Prix D'Ete Pace for four-year-olds.
Hosted by the Quebec Jockey Club, the Prix D'Ete is one of the richest races in all of North America for four-year-olds, the Prix D'Ete is expected to draw none other than the 2015 Harness Horse of the Year, Wiggle It Jiggleit, to race in Quebec this Sunday.
Wiggle It Jiggleit leads all money winners this season with over $1 million already earned and more than $3 million lifetime for owner George Teague, Jr., driver Montrell Teague (George's son) and trainer Clyde Francis.
From the Quebec Jockey Club