D Gs De Vito, one of the up-and-coming pacers currently competing at Hippodrome 3R, will take on the Preferred class for the first time this year on Friday (July 2).

D Gs De Vito, despite drawing the outside post eight in the Preferred Pace, is still listed as the race's 3-1 second choice.

A five-year-old gelded son of Sportswriter, D Gs De Vito has shown the ability to win from any post this season. With Jonathan Lachance in the sulky, D Gs De Vito sports four wins in 2021, three of them coming in his last four starts.

“He is an easy horse to drive,” Lachance explained. “He has a very good head about racing. He is a natural talent, a small horse with a small gait, but a beautiful gait. He is not incredible; he is good because he has a big heart — he is a little brawler.”

Last week he was interfered with from post nine, but still came back to win by a nose in 1:56.3. Two starts before that, he came first-over from fourth, snatched the lead away before the half-mile pole and strolled to a 1:55.3 score.

“He is in good shape,” Lachance said of D Gs De Vito. “He is climbing in class and with the starting position 8, his race will be very difficult. He can compete with the favourites but it will take a 'normal mile', not a mile and a quarter as his last race on the outside.”

D Gs De Vito has but one problem: He can’t leave out of the starting gate. Only once in 42 career starts and qualifiers was D Gs De Vito on the lead by the opening quarter.

Lachance says he can leave at the start.

“He can take off at the barrier, but he prefers to come from behind.”

D Gs De Vito is trained by Guylaine Fortin for owner-breeder Daniel Surprenant.

It may be a rude awakening for D Gs De Vito with his hike in class, drawing post 8, and having to go against Mickeymaksomespeed.

The 5-2 favourite, Mickeymaksomespeed has been a terror in the Preferred ranks this season. He sports two wins and two seconds in six starts, and in his last two starts, he lost and won by a nose.

The four-year-old stallion by Mickey Hanover was bred and is owned and trained by Michel Allard. He will start from post six with driver Samuel Fillion. In his last start, he lost by a nose in 1:56.4; the start before that, he won by a nose in 1:56; and in his first start of the season romped at H3R in 1:54.2.

Other contenders in the race include the return of Farmers Tan (post 7) for owner-trainer-driver Carol Voyer and Windsun Cheyenne (post 3).

Post time on Friday at H3R is 4 p.m. For a free race program, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.

To view Friday's complete entries, click the following link: Friday Entries – Hippodrome 3R.

(Québec Jockey Club)