After hosting 17 qualifying races over the past week, there should be an ample amount of horses ready to drop in the draw box at Hippodrome 3R.

The first draw of the 2021 season at H3R will take place on Monday (May 3). Entries must be submitted by 11 a.m.

“I think we will be in very good shape for our first draw,” said Murielle Thomassin, director of racing at H3R. “We are planning on having at least 10 races on opening day next Friday.”

Opening Day at H3R is set for Friday (May 7) with first race post time at 5:30 p.m. After the Friday card, the next live race day will be Sunday, May 16 at 1 p.m.

Thomassin explained why H3R is starting off the season on a Friday, mainly because of a lack of racing in Canada.

"There is no doubt about being one of the few racetracks to be running races right now," Thomassin continued. “We have the approval of Public Health, we have the approval of the Québec Racing Commission, so why not proceed? I honestly think we'll have more than enough horses to at least do a program on Friday, and we'll see what happens next.

"Let's think about it,” Thomassin said. “There are thousands of fans in Canada who are looking forward to getting back to their favourite pastime, and fate has it that we are pretty much one of the only ones in the country to run races. That's for sure. We'll look carefully at the mutuel wagering for this first program, and then see how our schedule goes.”

Saturday (Mayh 1) featured 11 qualifying races, and the star of the day was trainer-driver Marie-Claude Auger, who drove three winners on card, including the fastest winner of the day, Big Petes Smile.

In the sixth race, Auger left with Big Petes Smile from post five. The nine-year-old gelding by Jeremes Jet held the field at bay from the start, stopping the timer in 1:59.4 and winning by four open lengths.

Also on the racetrack was the 2020 Trotting Filly of the Year at H3R, Kinnder High Class, who won 10 of 13 starts last season for owner-breeder-trainer Denitza Petrova. She finished a fast-closing third behind Marie-Claude Auger and Franks Angel, who won in 2:03.2.

Anything else special on Murielle Thomassin’s wish list for this season at the Hippodrome 3R?

“Oh, yes,” Thomassin said. “I want the racing fans back in the stands again. I hope this pandemic will get under control so that we can have spectators back at H3R. I miss hearing the cheering crowd when the horses come down the stretch to the finish.”

For more information, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.

(Québec Jockey Club)