On Wednesday morning (April 28), Hippodrome 3R hosted its opening session of qualifying races ahead of the 2021 racing season.

Erge Magic Bab began the morning with a wire-to-wire 2:04.3 trotting mile. The five-year-old gelding, owned and trained by Eric Poisson, had Stephane Brosseau in the bike.

Mickeymaksomespeed lived to his name, going the fastest pacing mile of the session. Driver Richard Simard sent the four-year-old Mickey Hanover stallion to the point from post 3 and cruised through fractions of :28.2, :59.2 and 1:30. Off the final turn, Mickeymaksomespeed spurted clear to hit the finish three-and-a-quarter lengths better than Flashjack Soleil in 1:59.4. Michel Allard owns and trains Mickeymaksomespeed.

Frido PV capitalized off a pocket ride to go the fastest trotting mile of the session, stopping the clock in 2:01.3. Trainer-driver Yves St. Jacques settled into second from the pylon post as Captain Krupnik set a clip of :29.3, :59.4 and 1:30.2. Into a slowing final quarter, Frido PV popped from the pocket and hit the beam three-quarter lengths in front of Captain Krupnik, with Orlys Dream another six lengths behind in third. Marcel Brouillard owns the four-year-old Muscle Mass stallion.

The Wednesday qualifying session was the first of two scheduled. Qualifiers continue at 3R on Saturday (May 1) while the official first date of live racing is still to be announced.

To view Wednesday's qualifying results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Hippodrome 3R (Qualifier).