TROIS-RIVIERES, Quebec, September 6, 2015 – Once again this season the sun will shine on a Hippodrome 3R special race card Sunday, the $500,000 finals of the Quebec-Bred Series for two and three-year-old trotters and pacers. The forecast Sunday is for sunny skies, no rain and temperature around 28 Celsius (83 Fahrenheit).
It is the richest day of racing at 3R in 2015 and some of the track records for the younger horses will be in jeopardy of being broken. The two-year-old finals are for $55,000 each and the three-year-olds go for $65,000 each.
Here is a preview of the top contenders in each of the eight finales.
Race 1 – $65,000 3YO Colt Trot Final – Seeyou Men (post 5) will be the horse to beat, having won three of seven starts. Beat older horses last week at 3R in 2:00.3. The Sprinter (post 4) may be winless in nine starts this year but has recently showed sub-two minute speed at Mohawk, including race timed in 1:56.4. Champagne Panic (post 3) Also winless in nine starts in 2015 but always stays trotting and should get a good check.
Race 2 – $55,000 2YO Colt Pace Final – Mr Mach Jimmy (post 2) was winless this year until trainer Dany Fontaine brought him to 3R for this series and he won all three legs and should take the final as he has yet to be tested. Shanghai Warrior (post 3)/Pudong Phil (post 6) will be a tough entry for trainer Mark Steacy, Pudong Phil romped last week at 3R in 1:59.2. Sagawi (post 1) draws very well and figures to get perfect trip behind Mr Mach Jimmy. He has yet to finish worse than second in his last five starts, all at 3R.
Race 3 – $65,000 3YO Colt Pace Final – Mach On The Beach (post 5) may not be the favorite, but he is one of seven horses that trainer Dany Fontaine has entered today. This colt has strong gate speed to get to the front and control the pace and has beaten most of this field this season. Western Bayama (post 6) may be the wagering favorite and comes back to 3R off a super impressive 1:52.3 lifetime mark last week at Mohawk in the ONSS but can't leave which will hamper him in here. Sugarsam (post 3) was last year's 2YO champion but has not been at his best as of late. Usually always races well at 3R.
Race 4 – $55,000 2YO Colt Trot Final – Wildwild Men (post 2) needs only to stay trotting and he will score big time in here. Is on three race win streak including track record 2:00.3 triumph last week at 3R. Seems to get faster every start he makes. Holiday Party (post 3)/Tuscans Memory (post 4) entry from Dany Fontaine Stable have been good in this series but cannot keep up with Wildwild Men. Should get second and third place money. Sass (post 1) is in perfect spot for driver Clarke Steacy to try and leave and get good trip behind Wildwild Men but may not have speed to stay close the entire mile.
Non-wagering $55,000 2YO Filly Trot Final (between 5th and 6th races) – Dolly V P (post 3) showed she can trot beating older horses last start at 3R by a neck on an off-track. Can win in here by just staying on stride. Lucky Promesses (post 1)/Friendly Lavec (post 6) entry for trainer Andeane Lapeire must stay on stride and if so they could get two good checks in here. SOS Christina (post 2) comes into the final having won with ease on the Quebec Fair Circuit. She just needs to stay on gait.
Race 6 – $55,000 2YO Filly Pace Final – Miss Babe Delight (post 2) got nipped at the wire last week by Art De Gagnee after cutting all the fractions. Same happened two starts back against HP Sissy. This filly is better than those lines show and can wire the field in this final. HP Mercedes (post 1)/HP Sissy (post 4) is a very formidable entry from trainer Jean Tourgny. Both have won in the series with HP Sissy impressive on her two-race win streak, beating Miss Babe Delight two weeks ago in 1:57.3. The track record will be in jeopardy in this race. Art De Gagnee (post 5) was given perfect drive last week to nip Miss Babe Delight after slow fractions in 2:00.2. Post may hinder any chance she has in here.
Race 8 – $65,000 Final 3YO Filly Trot – National Trace (post 5) gets a slim call in this wide-open race. This has been a very weak division this year and this filly has shown the ability to have beaten most of this field earlier in the series. Meganou (post1) is the reigning champion from last year but has fallen on hard times in 2015 with just one win in nine starts. Still could be in the hunt from the rail. SOS Revange (post 6)/SOS Hardrive entry shows SOS Hardrive as the best of the two. Was good in the series last month and should be able to get a good check in here.
Race 11 – $65,000 Final 3YO Filly Pace – Voodoo Charm (post 6) has been very good, winning five of her last six starts, beating male rivals in last overnights at 3R, going 1:56.2 last week. Should not lose in here. HP Rubis Joyce (post 8) has also been sharp, winning three of her last four starts. Far outside post will hinder her winning chances but can still be game for second money. Wanda Bayama (post 2) won two legs of this series and has beaten Voodoo Charm. Good inside post will keep her close to the action.
Track Notes: Post time Sunday is 1:30 pm. The 10th race is an Open Trot featuring newcomer Unabating from Rideau Carlton taking on Maximuscle, Caroluzzo and R Rkadabra. For free race programs and live video go to www.quebecjockeyclub.com.
by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club