It's only fitting that a horse with a name that's a distinct reminder of our situation amid the coronavirus pandemic has emerged as a horse to beat in 2020.

Ice O Late headlines the third race Preferred Trot on Sunday at 3R and comes into the race off an impressive 2:01 triumph last week in his first start of the year.

With Francis Picard in the sulky for trainer and co-owner Luc Chouinard, Ice O Late closed from fifth last week to win with ease by three and one-quarter lengths. He starts from post three on Sunday. Chouinard co-owns Ice O Late with Daniel Lamarre.

Hoping to pull off an upset will be Rideau Carleton invader Keepall (Post 5) as well as Holiday Party (post 4) and Voodoo Man (Post 2).

3R's first two-year-old pari-mutuel race takes place Sunday with the second race pace. Too Soon BG, a son of Betterthancheddar, has won both of his early baby races, the fastest last week in 2:04.2 with Francis Picard in the sulky. Too Soon BG was bred and is owned by Gaston Bibeau of Sorel-Tracy and is trained by Eric Milot.

Another standout is Platine Alpha from post three. She is sired by Control The Moment, trained by Sylvain Tremblay and will be driven by Carol Voyer. Platine Alpha was bred and is owned by the Alpha Stable of Metabetchouan and was second last week to Too Soon BG.

The top mares at 3R go at it again in the Preferred Pace, the sixth race on the program. Last week’s return winner, Sieras Rose is handicapped with Post 8 and starts alongside rival Sophies Cam (Post 7). Other contenders include Uptown Woman (Post 3) and Uno Cincuenta (Post 4).

Post time for the Sunday afternoon card is 1:00 p.m. For a free race program, visit hippodrome3r.ca. To view the entries for Sunday's card of harness racing at Hippodrome 3R, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.

(with files from the Quebec Jockey Club)