Having had to take nearly two years away from harness racing due to injuries, Histoire Enchantee has not slowed down at all as the five-year-old pacer headlines the Preferred Pace at Hippodrome 3R on Sunday (Oct. 13).

The gelded son of Shanghai Phil was a terror on the racetrack at age three, having won nearly $100,000 in purses with a record of 1:50.1. Histoire Enchantee is still owned by his breeder, Guy Gorbeil of Mirabel and he is trained by Maxime Velaye.

"Histoire Enchantee was injured with the results of a severe suspensory," explained Velaye. "To make matters worse, it was not even a race injury. He had to be stopped training and immobilized in his stall for about 10 months. This is the kind of injury that heals slowly over time.

"After his successful season in 2017 at age three, we stopped with him as usual," continued Velaye. "Then we started again in the winter of 2017-2018 to be ready for the Quebec-Bred Series at age four. It was during this period that he was injured."

Since his remarkable comeback this year, Histoire Enchantee sports three wins in six starts with two second-place finishes. His currently record mile this season is 1:56.4, but he seems to get a little faster with every start.

On Sunday, Histoire Enchantee starts from the far outside in post eight for driver Stephane Gendron, who has driven him in all of his starts this year.

He is listed as the morning line favourite and rightly so, having won three of his last four starts and was second last week, timed in 1:55.1.

Histoire Enchantee shows early gate speed that should help him overcome his outside post position against a stellar field of competition.

Rivals in the eighth race feature include Appleby Hanover (post one), who has won three of his last four starts; Kinnder Jackson (post two), Surf Report (post three) and Hooter Shooter (post seven).

Post time Sunday at 3R is 1:00 pm. For additional information, a free race program, or to views the races live via the internet, visit quebecjockeyclub.com. To view entries for Sunday's card, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.

(with files from the Quebec Jockey Club)