On Sunday (Sept. 26) Hippodrome 3R, the Quebec Jockey Club, the Association des trialistes amateurs du Québec (ATAQ) are hosting a special Caretakers Appreciation Day in concert with Standardbred Canada's National Caretaker Appreciation Day events across Canada.

The caretakers are the unsung heroes of harness racing, working sometimes 24/7 in caring for their horses.

There are 10 full fields of trotters and pacers racing Sunday starting at 12:10 p.m. and track announcer Guy Lafontaine will be announcing the caretaker of every single horse that is competing.

All of the caretakers in the race paddock Sunday will receive a free lunch and there will be a special gift card presentation to each of the winning horse’s caretakers from the 10 races.

There are two Preferred events for the pacing horses and mares on Sunday.

The older horses do battle in the ninth race where former Quebec-Bred Champion, Histoire Enchantee, who is going for his fourth straight win. The seven-year-old gelding by Shanghai Phil starts from post five for driver Pascal Berube and trainer Francis Richard.

This season Histoire Enchantee has five wins, all at 3R, the fastest a 1:54.4 mile.

The race favourite is D Gs De Vito (Post 7) for driver Jonathan Lachance. In 17 starts this year the five-year-old gelded son of Sportswriter has a record of six wins, five seconds and three third-place finishes. He has yet to finish worse than third since July.

Other contenders include return winner Maracasso (Post 1), Farmers Tan (Post 8) and Dreydl Hanover (Post 5).

The fillies and mare are featured in the fifth race Preferred Pace that sees the return of last week's winner, You Rock Girl Kir, who rocked the tote board with a 21-1 upset score.

You Rock Girl Kir and driver Stephane Gendron start from Post 7 Sunday. Last week they led from start to finish in a lifetime best 1:57 clocking for trainer-owner Andre Denault.

The race favourite is Wild River Swan (Post 5) for driver Jonathan Lachance. Last week they closed with a ton of speed to be second to You Rock Girl Kir. It was her first start back after a brief layoff.

Other contenders of note include Kiss Me Bad (Post 6), who saw her three-race win streak come to an end last weekend. Platine Alpha (Post 3), the lone filly in the race, seeks to add to her seven wins this year and Sophies Can (Post 4) is always very competitive.

First race post time Sunday is 12:10 pm. For a free race program, visit hippodrome3r.ca. To view the entries for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.

(Quebec Jockey Club)