The track is hosting three Preferred-Handicap events on the eight-race program.
The action gets underway Friday in the second race, the Preferred-Handicap Mares Pace. Returning from victory in last Sunday's event is Hammering Haley (post 6) for driver Stephane Brosseau. She led from start to finish last week in 1:59.4 over a sloppy track and is the 5/2 morning line favorite.
Also, in the race is rival Wild River Swan (post 8), who came up just a head shy of beating Hammering Haley last week. Other contenders include Sieras Rose, a recent 1:58 winner, Y C Easy (post 4) and Twice An Angel (post 2).
The Preferred-Handicap trotter do battle in race three where Precieuse CC (post 7) is the early favorite. She is one of four mares in the race against the horses. Precieuse CC will be driven by her owner/trainer Claude Beausoleil. They won two starts back at H3R in 1:57.4.
Other horses to watch are Upvote Hanover (post 6), Missionoftheheart (post 8), Lucky Promesses (post 4) and Sir Chopin (post 5).
The older horse will compete in the seventh race when the Rideau Carleton invader, Speed To Market (post 5) is the early favorite. He ships in off an impressive 1:56.1 triumph for driver Pascal Berube and trainer Yves Tessier and will be going for his fifth win of the year.
Last week's 1:56.4 return winner, D J Power, gets handicapped off his triumph, and starts from post eight for driver Samuel Fillion. Other contenders include Windsun Cheyenne (post 4), Maracasso (post 7) and Outlaw Turn N Burn (post 6).
Track Notes: The reason all the Preferred races are on Friday is that on Sunday starts the opening round of the Breeders Trophy Series for three-year-old pacers and there are four divisions. On Saturday is the third round of the Quebec Regional Fair Circuit. Friday's card starts at 4:00 pm and racing on both Saturday and Sunday begin at 1:00 pm. For a free race program, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.
From the Quebec Jockey Club