This Friday (May 22) marks the third of four Barncat Trivia events where players compete against fellow horse racing enthusiasts in a live virtual contest.

Sixty fun, all-original, multiple-choice questions are presented over three games (rounds) starting at 7:00 p.m. (EST). The contest is free to play.

An online show corresponds with each trivia event, featuring a game host and special guests.

Trainer Francis Dumouchel will join this week’s halftime show after trivia game one (approx. 7:20 p.m. EST).

Dumouchel is an assistant trainer for the Blake MacIntosh Stable and also conditions four of his own horses at Meadowbranch Training Centre, near Flamboro Downs. A month ago, Dumouchel thought he was just posting a cute video to Facebook of his two-year-old pacing filly and her barncat buddy, Bruno.

Much to Dumouchel’s surprise, Bruno and Twin B Sunkissed have become an internet sensation and Dumouchel has been fielding requests and licensing offers from online media outlets from around the world. With nearly two million views, and more than 86,000 shares, Francis was stunned to see his phone blowing up hour after hour as his cute duo rose to social media stardom.

But with 15,000 comments and reach far beyond his own online network of harness racing friends, Dumouchel soon saw how a seemingly delightful video was inciting less than delightful comments.

During the five-minute Half-Time Show, Barncat Trivia will chat with Dumouchel about his post’s popularity and how the Sunkissed & Bruno viral video has changed his understanding of how people outside of the horse industry sometimes perceive Standardbreds and harness racing.

Friday’s game and live show can be accessed at www.barncattrivia.com. The website also provides an email notification service to remind players of game times.

Last week’s top scorer of the 140 players was returning champ, driver/trainer Anthony Haughan, with 4336 points. Jim Gillespie was second with 4272 points and Ben Holliday rounded out the top three with 4023 points.

Heading into week three, the tournament leaders are:

1st place - Anthony Haughan (8505 points)
2nd place - Justin Fisher (7990 points)
3rd place - Nick Salvi (7670 points)

Barncat Trivia will wrap up on May 29, but players can join in for the first time at any point in the tournament. The top overall scorer of the tournament will win a $100 gift card for the vendor of their choice. Prizes of $25.99 in game play will be awarded for the mobile apps 'Catch Driver' and 'Off And Pacing.' These prizes will be awarded on social media and during game nights.

The tournament is made possible with the generous support of sponsors, including:

• Catch Driver
• Clinton Raceway
• Central Ontario Standardbred Association
• Grand River Raceway
• Hambletonian Society
• Hanover Raceway
• MadBarn
• Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
• Off And Pacing
• Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association
• Tara Hills Stud
• TheStable.ca
• TROT Magazine
• Woodbine Mohawk Park

(Barncat Trivia)