The Jocelyn Gendron-driven National Debt was tops in the $6,000 Invitational-Handicap Pace on Sunday (May 6) at Hippodrome 3R.

The race began with the only mare in the field of eight, Rainbow Palace and driver Francis Picard shooting to the early lead, but they then gave way to D J Power (driven by Pierre Luc Roy) at the opening quarter mile in :27.4.

And already on the move on the outside was Brosseau with the race favourite American Wiggle. They worked their way to the front and cut the mile to the half in :57. It was then that driver Jocelyn Gendron came first-over with National Debt and started grinding their way towards the race leader.

In the backstretch, National Debt collared American Wiggle but could not pass them by at the three-quarters in 1:26. American Wiggle then gained ground on the final turn and took the lead away from National Debt. But that was only briefly as after they started down the stretch, National Debt was the strong horse, winning by one and one-half lengths in 1:55. American Wiggled barely held off Rainbow Palace for second place.

It was the fifth win this year for National Debt ($5.50), a seven-year-old horse by Allamerican Native. He is trained by Yves Tessier and owned by Francois Morin of Beauceville.

Tessier also trained the winner of the co-feature trot (Race 9).

It was none other than R Rkadabra and driver Pierre Luc Roy scooting to the early with Stephane Brosseau and race favourite Torches Angel leaving from Post 8 and getting the two-hole trip by the opening quarter mile in :28.1.

R Rkadabra then cut the mile to the half in :58.3 and was solid on the lead going into the backstretch. Before the three-quarters in 1:28.1, Brosseau moved Torches Angel to the outside and then the lead by the final turn. They then pulled away for an easy win by two and one-half lengths in 1:57.4. Holiday Party (Pascal Berube) closed well to be second with Rocky Boy (Marc Belanger) third.

It was win No. 4 on the day for driver Stephanie Brosseau and the second training score of the afternoon for Yves Tessier as he sent out the winners in both co-feature races.

An eight-year-old mare by Angus Hall, it was the second straight win and fourth victory on the year for Torches Angel, who paid $4.00 to win. It was also an owner double for Morin Beauceville.

Brosseau also scored victories on the day with with Groomed ($12.00), HP Run Like Momo ($2.60) and Onyx V A ($3.20).

To view the harness racing results for Sunday at the Hippodrome, click the following link: Sunday Results – Hippodrome 3R.

The Hippodrome 3R website (quebecjockeyclub) now features a live feed of the harness races. Live racing resumes next Sunday, post time at 12:50 p.m.

(With files from the Quebec Jockey Club)