Hall of Fame driver Michel ‘Mike’ Lachance will be the grand marshal for the upcoming $200,000 Prix D’Ete race day at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday, August 20.

Lachance is known throughout harness racing as one of the all-time greatest drivers. Over an illustrious career that spanned more than 50 years, Lachance, now 66, won 10,421 races and purse earnings of $190 million with the horses he has driven, which currently ranks him fourth on the all-time list. He is also inducted in both the Canadian (1993) and United States (1996) Hall of Fame.

A native of St. Augustine, Quebec, Lachance was very pleased with the news of this special honour.

“I have really done nothing in harness racing these past few years since I retired from racing,” Lachance said. “Now, this year I was in Clinton last weekend for Legends Day, which was so great to be at. Before that I attended the Roosevelt Raceway reunion, which was also very special. Now this weekend I will be at the Hambletonian, and that I know will be very great.

“But, I think, nothing will be as special as returning to Quebec and being the grand marshal for the Prix D’Ete on August 20,” Lachance said. “I look so forward to seeing family members, friends and the racing fans. What a great surprise when Quebec Jockey Club called and told me of this wonderful honour.”

The Prix D’Ete is one of the richest stakes races currently in harness racing for four-year-old pacers since its revival by H3R four years ago. Prior to that, the Prix D’Ete was the most prestigious race in all of Canada from 1966 to 1992, featuring world renowned winners Albatross, Bret Hanover, Niatross, Cam Fella and many other world champions.

Lachance himself won back to back Prix D’Etes with Matts Scooter in 1988 and Goalie Jeff in 1989 at Blue Bonnets Raceway in Montreal.

“What a great time in my life those years were,” Lachance explained. “Coming to Quebec and winning with Matts Scooter in the Prix D’Ete is one of biggest highlights of my career. And then to return and win again the very next year with Goalie Jeff was just super.”

Lachance will be the centre of attention on Prix D’Ete Day at H3R. He will join the eight drivers in the Prix D’Ete in a special autograph and meet and greet with race fans before the start of the race card and, of course, present the Prix D’Ete trophy to the winning connections.

“I have not been back to the Hippodrome 3R since I last drove there, maybe 35 years ago,” Lachance recalled. “I look forward to seeing the new track and facility and perhaps some fans who remember when I use to drive in Quebec. It will be so good to be back home and, of course, to watch the Prix D’Ete.”

This year the Prix D’Ete race day will feature a later post time, starting at 2:30 p.m. with 15 races on the program. The Prix D’Ete is scheduled to be raced at 6:30 p.m. Also on the program will be the third leg of the $220,000 Future Stars Series for two-year-old pacers.

(Quebec Jockey Club)