Beginning this weekend, Hippodrome 3R (H3R) is set to begin live harness racing two days a week, Friday and Sunday. The Friday afternoon program begins at 4 p.m. and Sunday’s post time is 12 noon.

The two-day-a-week schedule with Friday racing will continue through Friday, Aug. 26.

Despite drawing the far outside post eight, Windsong Napoleon has been made the 5-2 morning line favourite in the second race feature pace on Friday. An eight-year-old gelded son of Art Major, Windsong Napoleon will be driven by Jocelyn Gendron. He is trained and owned by Yannick Martel and two starts back was third in the Preferred Pace, timed in 1:56.4.

Second choice in the race is Aethon (post five) for driver Simon Delisle and trainer Melanie Boulianne. In his last start, Aethon was able to wire the field at H3R in 1:56.4 for his first win of the season.

The third race trotting feature is highlighted by the entry from the Sylvain Tremblay stable of Stella Alpha and Archimed Alpha. Stella Alpha (post five) is the lone three-year-old in the field. Last year, she was the Quebec-bred champion for her age and gait. So far in 2022, she sports three wins, the fastest a lifetime mark of 1:58.1 at Rideau Carleton Raceway. She will be driven by Pascal Berube. Archimed Alpha (post six) has been second in two of his last three starts and will be driven for the first time by 22-year-old Kiwon Waldron.

The winningest horse so far this season at H3R is Buddysnvirgins (post one), who will compete in the fourth race pace. The five-year-old gelding by Always A Virgin sports three wins already in his four starts this season. He is trained by Marc-Andre Simoneau and will be driven by Stephane Brosseau.

For a free race program for Friday’s card, visit hippodrome3r.ca.

To view Friday's harness racing entries, click on the following link: Friday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.

(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)