Final Quebec Plus Leg Sunday At 3R

The final leg of the Quebec Plus Series for three-, four-, and five-year-old pacers takes place on Sunday at Hippodrome 3R with two divisions.

Owners, trainers and drivers will be seeking points to be one of the eight finalists going for $10,000 in the final next week at 3R.

The first division features the horse that may well sweep the series, Lune Bleu (Blue Moon in French), who will start from the rail for driver Pierre Luc Roy.

One of only two fillies in the race against the boys, Lune Bleu was at her best last week for trainer Maxime Velaye. The daughter of Big Jim was able to wire the field in a lifetime best 1:58.3, the fastest mile in the series so far.

"She's not the biggest filly,” said Velaye of Lune Bleu. “but believe me, she has her little character. Fortunately, because it is probably this small side battler who makes a good quality racehorse. I think she has improved throughout the year. She had a few more difficult moments in the middle of the summer which resulted in breaking pace, but since then she has recovered from the hair of the beast, as they say. I even think that, like many mares and fillies, the cooler temperatures suit her.”

It was Lune Bleu’s fifth win in 13 starts for breeder/owner Guy Corbeil of Mirabel. According to Velaye it was a good performance.

"I do not claim anything,” Velaye said. “but her mile last week in 1.58.3 is a very good performance under the circumstances. It was windy, it was cold, we were in the last race, but none of that seemed to bother her. So, I'm hopeful she'll answer with another good mile this week."

A strong contender in the race will be Ernie Panic (post three) who won two starts back in 2:00.3 along with Determinant (post five).

In the ninth race second division it looks like a battle will take place between two stablemates, Encore Panic (post five) and Flash Panic (post one). Both are conditioned by 3R’s leading trainer, Francis Richard and homebreds owned by Brian Paquet of Quebec City.

Encore Panic will be driven by Jocelyn Gendron on Sunday, and this four-year-old gelded son of Artistic Fella is on a two-race win streak -- winning both starts in wire-to-wire fashion. The fastest of the two wins was last week in the opening round of the series, a 2:00.1 lifetime mark.

Flash Panic will be driven by Francis Picard. The three-year-old filly by Sportswriter has four wins so far this year, the fastest a 1:57 triumph at 3R.

Other contenders include Somebeachbythesea (post two), Art Of The Master (post six) and Hercule J M (post seven).

The trotters own centre stage in the seventh race Preferred event.

Returning to try for his third straight win is last week’s winner and former Quebec Series Champion, Seeyou Men. He goes from post six for driver Stephane Brosseau. Last week won with ease in 2:00.1, and the prior week scored in 1:57.4 at Rideau Carleton.

Another Quebec Series Champ, Capteur De Reve, starts from post two for driver Pierre Luc Roy. He has won three of his last five starts, all in this class.

Rideau invader Talbotcreek Suzie (post one) will be a factor having won three of her last four starts for trainer Yves Tessier. Rounding out the field of seven are Holiday Spirit (post three), the front-end crazy R Rkadabra (post four), return winner Ghirardelli Lindy (post five) and another Quebec Series Champion, Holiday Party (post seven).

The two top pacing mares at 3R this season, Rainbow Palace and Wild River Swan, renew their rivalry in the sixth race.

Rainbow Palace took a week off after beating Wild River Swan and she will go from post four for driver Francis Picard. Wild River Swan did race last week and won in 1:57. She will start from post three for driver Jocelyn Gendron.

First race post time is 12:50 p.m. on Sunday. For entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.

(with files the Quebec Jockey Club)

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