Rocky Boy and driver Marc Belanger made it back-to-back victories in the Invitational-Handicap Trot at the Hippodrome 3R Sunday (May 27) with another wire-to-wire triumph.

Starting in the ninth-race feature from the same Post 5 that he had in his last start, Rocky Boy really earned his keep on this day.

Belanger left, but Rocky Boy was to be stung early by the game Caroluzzo (driven by Stephane Gendron), who begrudgingly gave up the lead after the opening quarter mile in :28.3.

Also parked out three-wide to the opening quarter mile was Holiday Party (Francis Picard), who then was stuck first-over and thus went after the lead from Rocky Boy and pushed the pace to the half-mile marker in :57.3.

Then, in the backstretch with Caroluzzo in tow, Rocky Boy led the field past the three-quarters in 1:27; and that was more than enough for Holiday Party, as he backed off and the co-race favourite at 7-5, Torches Angel (Stephane Brosseau), could not make up any ground.

Down the stretch, Rocky Boy dug in again and went on to win by three lengths in 1:57.3. Caroluzzo was second with Southwind Voltage (Jocelyn Gendron) grabbing the third spot.

It was the second straight win this year for Rocky Boy. The nine-year-old gelded son of Rocky Balboa is trained by Stephane Beaudoin. He paid $4.90 to win and is co-owned by Belanger and Beaudoin of Trois-Rivieres.

Top pace of the day took place in the seventh race, where Mister Big Top ($11.40), with Jocelyn Gendron in the bike, sat the perfect two-hole trip, got clearance from a game first-over Rainbow Palace (Francis Picard) at the top of the stretch, and scored a one and one-half length victory in 1:55.

It was the fastest mile on the program and the third win this year for Mister Big Top. A six-year-old gelded son of Mister Big, he is trained by Yves Tessier and owned by Francois Morin of Beauceville. Rainbow Palace was second and pacesetter Onyx V A (Stephane Brosseau) was third.

Trainer Michel Allard was the only horseman on the program to send out two winners Sunday.

Track Notes: The first Tuesday night program of the race season at the Hippodrome 3R takes place this Tuesday, May 29, first race post time is 6:30 p.m. for the eight-race card.

Wildriverbumblebee, the 2017 champion three-year-old pacer from Quebec, qualified Saturday at the Hippodrome 3R. He had to make two moves in the race and still was able to win for driver Stephane Brosseau in 1:58.3. Wildriverbumblee is owned, bred and trained by Dr. John Bradbury and has been made eligible to the $200,000 Prix D’Ete at H3R on August 19.

For more information, visit quebecjockeyclub.com.

To view the harness racing results for Sunday at H3R, click the following link: Sunday Results – Hippodrome 3R.

(QJC)