What a difference a year can make. That’s the tune that harness racing trainer Jean Tourigny is humming these days since his trotting mare HP Run Like Mom is unbeaten in three starts this year. She goes for her fourth straight win on Sunday (May 20) at Hippodrome 3R.

The four-year-old mare by Kadabra from the Promising Catch mare Canaco Runner is co-owned by Claude Hamel of Ayer's Cliff and Michel Damphousse of Louiseville and was bred by Hamel with Lapharmaciedekedgwick Inc. of New Brunswick.

A five-time winner last year at age three, HP Run Like Mom was headed into the $65,000 final of the Breeders Cup Final as the morning-line betting favourite, looking to cap off a pretty good season.

That did not happen — in fact the mare broke stride from post eight and was unable to rebound. Then the following week, she broke again in a qualifying race, then stayed trotting in the next qualifying race, but that was it. HP Run Like Mom was to be turned out for next season.

“She was deconcentrated and lost confidence after going to Toronto to race,” said Tourigny. “She disappointed me at Mohawk. I thought she would be able to trot a mile in 1:54.”

Before HP Run Like Mom went to Mohawk, her last start was a 25-1/2 length romp in the Breeders Cup third leg at H3R and she scored a lifetime best 1:59.4 triumph.

“Now she is four years old and has really matured,” Tourigny explained. “We go week-by-week with her and we let her decide how fast she wants to go. She is now building up confidence from week to week.”

Last week was perhaps HP Run Like Mom’s best win of the season. With regular driver Stephane Brosseau at the lines, she came after the race leader at the half, took command of the lead, and held the field at bay in a 2:01.1 triumph.

“My father Leo and I trained and raced her mother (Canaco Runner) and it makes for me a challenge more to have the honour to take care of her foals that Claude Hamel, Celine Paquin and Michel Damphousse have given me this great opportunity," Tourigny added.

“I have three teams that help with the care and racing of the horses,” Tourigny said. “We have 16 horses in the stable now. Barry Robert and Jules Girard are the main caretakers. Then there is myself, Trudel Rolland, and my dad doing the training and my paddock team at the track are Yves Corbin and his daughter Clare."

“I must give credit to my dad,” Tourigny said. “He comes every morning to train. He is going to be 79 soon. I am so happy to have these great people working with me and, of course, all the owners who have put their trust in me. Without Michel Damphousse, Claude Hamel and Celine Paquin, Rolland Trudel, Brian Paquette, and Steve Garceau, I would be nothing.”

Tourigny is also excited that his top pacing mare, HP Sissy, is coming back to the stable this weekend to begin prepping for the Québec-bred Series at the Hippodrome 3R. She was a prior champion at H3R and went on to race in Toronto and then New York, winning $229,000 with a record of 1:52.1.

HP Run Like Mom is not the morning-line favourite in the sixth-race trot on Sunday at H3R. She will be tested Sunday, having to start from the far outside in post eight. The honour of being the morning-line favourite goes to another good mare named Lucky Promesses from post four for owner-breeder-driver Jerome Lombart.

This is just the second start this year for the five-year-old mare by Lucky Fool. Last year was her best season ever, as she was the winningest horse to race at H3R. She closed out the season with ten wins for trainer Andreane Lapierre, taking a record of 1:58.2 at Rideau Carleton.

Other contenders in the race include KFB Amigo Cool (post two), Eau Naturelle (post five) and Abundasass (post three).

Track Notes: Defending H3R leading driver, Stephane Brosseau, is off to the best start of his career, winning 12 of the 29 races (41%) held so far at the Hippodrome 3R. His record is 12-4-3 and his Universal Driver Rating is an amazing .596. He will be driving in the first eight races at H3R Sunday before heading over to Rideau Carleton.

For a free race program for Sunday, visit www.quebecjockeyclub.com. First race post time Sunday is 12:50 p.m.

To view Sunday’s harness racing entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries – Hippodrome 3R.

(Québec Jockey Club)