With spectators finally allowed without Covid restrictions, opening day of the Hippodrome 3R 40-day race meet on Sunday (May 1) featured a strong crowd of race fans enjoying the live harness racing and sunny skies.
The racing action was fast and furious starting with the very first race, a trotting event featuring both Quebec Champion two-year-olds from 2021, Stella Alpha and Royalty Beer.
P C Heisenberg and driver Marie-Claude Auger shot to the lead with Stella Alpha in the pocket seat and SG Goliath King stuck first over to the quarter in :29.3.
SG Goliath King eventually got into the pocket-seat after the half in :59.3. Laa Dee Gaa, the 4-5 favourite, then mounted a first-over challenge to P C Heisenberg by three-quarters in 1:29.2.
Auger was able to find another gear for P C Heisenberg and they pulled away from Laa Dee Gaa in the stretch to win with ease by 2-1/4 lengths in a lifetime-best 1:59.2. Laa Dee Gaa was second with Stella Alpha third and Royalty Beer fourth.
P C Heisenberg, an eight-year-old gelding by Cornaro Dasolo, scored in his first start of the season and his first victory since Jan. 1, 2020. He is trained by Marie Dumas and co-owned with Andre Boucher and Gaetan Jobin. Sent at odds of 4-1, He paid $10.80 to win.
It took the photo finish camera to declare Radley Hanover the winner by a long nose over D Gs De Vito in the Preferred Pace.
Steeven Genois sent Radley Hanover first over against pacesetter Dreydl Hanover. And when Radley Hanover looked Dreydl Hanover in the eye on the final turn, Dreydl Hanover went off stride. Radley Hanover then had to hold off D Gs De Vito in the stretch for the tight win in 1:56.1, the fastest mile on the day. Windsong Napoleon was third. Radley Hanover paid $9.30 to win.
In the Preferred Handicap Trot, it was all Gloire Dream and driver Samuel Fillion. EAU Naturelle was the early race leader until Fillion took Gloire Dream first over, passed EAU Naturelle by three-quarters and went on to win in a romp by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:58.4 for his third win this year. Archimed Alpha was second with EAU Naturelle third. Gloire Dream paid $2.50 to win.
The Preferred Handicap Mares Pace saw Erikas Shadow ($3) and driver Pascal Berube get second-over cover and then overtake pacesetter Acefortyfour Dome to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:56.3. Platine Alpha was third. Erikas Shadow paid $3.00 to win.
TRACK NOTES: Defending driving champion Pascal Berube led all drivers with a triple opening day. Steeven Genois had a driving double. Live racing resumes at H3R next Sunday with first race post time at 12 p.m. (EDT).
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results — Hippodrome 3R.
(Quebec Jockey Club)