The Quebec Jockey Club has enhanced the 12-race program this Sunday with two special challenge races for apprentice drivers and for trainers Sunday (Oct. 17) at Hippodrome 3R.

There are two divisions, one for the ladies and one for the gentlemen. Some of the competitors have been involved in harness racing for many years but rarely get the chance to be a driver, while some are just beginning their careers. The majority of them have been driving this season on the Quebec Regional Fair Circuit.

The ladies are showcased first on the program in the fifth race pace with seven pacers going behind the starting gate. Aethon is the morning line favourite from post three and will be driven by Andree Pelletier, who has three starts this year with two second place finishes.

Other contenders include Nancy Auger driving CL Big Beach (post five). Auger is on a roll, having just won with CL Big Beach in 2:01.3 on the Quebec Fair Circuit. Auger has two wins in six starts this year, and has eight career victories.

Roxanne Viau, who over the years has won 13 times, drives SOS Mach Etreme (post four) and was second to CL Big Beach in their last start.

The gentlemen get underway in the seventh race pace where El Torero and driver Maxime Dinelle start from post five. They are the morning line favourites, coming off the Quebec Fair Circuit on a three-race winning streak. Last time out he wired the field in 1:58.1. Dinelle has three wins this season on the circuit from nine drives.

An owner-trainer for many years, Marc Lemay drives Spider Man Hanover from post four. Spider Man Hanover has a mark of 1:58.2 on the Quebec Fair Circuit with Lemay, a three-time winner this year, at the controls.

Another return winner in the field is Way Over (post two) for Kevin Montmarquette, who does it all with this six-year-old mare. He is the owner, trainer and on Sunday the driver. This season Montmarquette has just one win in 10 starts, but in his last start Way Over won at 3R in 1:59.

The feature race of the Sunday card is the ninth race Preferred Pace for the mares.

Return winner Wild River Swan drew the rail for driver Jonathan Lachance. Last week the eight-year-old mare by Sportswriter came first-over to grind her way to the top, then pulled away from the field to win with ease by two and one-half lengths in 1:56.

Shes Movin On (post three) has been super game and was second to Wild River Swan last week while Sophies Cam (post seven) won this event two starts back in 1:56.1.

First race post time Sunday at 3R is 12:10 p.m. For a free race program, visit hippodrome3r.ca. To view the entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R

(Quebec Jockey Club)