The first two-year-old event in Québec took place Sunday (July 5) at Hippodrome 3R, and Platine Alpha ($7.40) beat the boys on debut.
The overwhelming 1-5 favourite, Too Soon BG (Francis Picard), took command of the race by the opening quarter in a speedy :28.1. Platine Alpha and driver Carol Voyer sat the pocket, but was six lengths behind as they raced past the half in :58.1.
Too Soon BG kept his huge lead on the field until three-quarters in 1:28.1, but Platine Alpha began to close the gap, collaring Too Soon BG and passing him by to win by two lengths in 2:00.3. Too Soon BG held for second with SG Alexia (Sylvain Grenier) third.
Platine Alpha, a daughter of Control The Moment and Ma Terre, is trained by Sylvain Tremblay for owners and breeders Alpha Stable.
Voyer made it a driving double when he sent Keepall ($4.80) right to the lead in the Preferred Trot and wired the field by two lengths in 1:59.1.
Keepall kept the field at bay throughout the race. Favourite Ice O Late (Francis Picard) came first-over at the half-mile marker, but could not gain ground on the leader. Eau Naturelle (Stephane Brosseau) was second with Ice O Late third.
Keepall, a six-year-old son of Angus Hall also trained by Tremblay, is owned by the Alpha Stable and Gino Curadeau.
Sophies Cam ($4.80, Stephane Brosseau) lived up to her favoured status in the Mares Preferred Pace, leading from start to finish in 1:59.1. It was her third win this season for trainer Carl Duguay. The six-year-old mare by Yankee Cam was bred by owner Yvanhoe Landry.
Live racing resumes at Hippodrome 3R next Friday afternoon (July 10), with first race post time at 4 p.m. Next weekend will feature three days of live harness racing action at H3R, as the track will race Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Post time Saturday and Sunday is 1 p.m. For more information, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.
To view Sunday's results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Hippodrome 3R.
(Québec Jockey Club)