The two-year-old trotters own the spotlight at Hippodrome 3R on Friday (July 22) with the opening round of the Future Stars Series for the colts and fillies.

The series features three rounds of preliminary competition with the top eight point-earners returning on Sunday, Sept. 11 for their $55,000 respective finals.

The colts are the first on the card in the fourth race with a purse of $10,000 and some of the eight starters are brothers and sisters to former Quebec-Bred champions.

The race favourite is the entry from owner, breeder and driver Jerome Lombart of Bromont, Que.. He has Illusioniste Gale (post five) and C Un Bon Deal (post seven). Illusioniste is the stronger of the two colts. He is sired by Prestidigitator from the Mr Lavec mare, Promising Lavec. That makes him a half-brother to two good trotting mares, Lucky Promesses 6,1:58.2h ($104,510) and X O X O 4,1:56h ($71,753).

Both colts, trained by Andreane Lapierre, have raced with Illusioniste finishing fourth in a race at 3R, race timed in 2:02.3.

Another well-bred starter is Capteur De Rire from post six for driver Guy Corbeil. Bred and owned by Ecurie Provoquante of Mirabel, Que., Capteur De Rire is sired by Lookslikeachpndale from the Monte Hall mare Noblesse, which makes him a half-brother to trotting greats Capteur De Reve 7, 1:55F ($319,609), who races on the same card in the third race Preferred 2 & 3 Handicap Trot, and Babidibou 3, 1:56 ($177,707).

Capteur De Rire was second at 3R in his lone qualifying race, timed in 2:06.

“So far he does everything right,”  said trainer Maxime Velaye. “I know he has big shoes to fill because of his two brothers who both won the Cup at age two. I think he can do it as he has shown us some good ability.”

Also in the field is Kinnder Thinktwice (post four), a homebred for owner/trainer Denitza Petrova of Melbourne, Que.

Sired by Wheeling N Dealin from the Majestic Son mare Majestic Joy, Kinnder Thinktwice has major Quebec champion blood flowing through his veins as he is a half-brother to trotting stars Kinnder High Class 3,1:56.2 ($84,555), Kinnder Dangerous 4,1:58.1h ($78,795), Kinnderunbelievable 3,1:59.3h ($52,800) and Kinnder Dangerzone 4,1:59.3h ($44,300).

He was a winner in two qualifying races at 3R, the fastest a 2:05.2 mile.

The trotting fillies are featured in the sixth race with eight starters going for a purse of $10,000.

The morning line favourite is Kenogami Courage, who drew the far outside post eight for driver Stephane Brosseau. This filly by Lookslikeachpndale from the Ken Warkentin mare, Profound Wisdom, is a half-sister to Quebec champion Kenogami Coco 4, 1:53.4f ($222,565).

She comes to 3R for the first time for trainer Jean-Francois Reid, who co-bred and owns the filly with Marie-Claude Reid, Stephane Brosseau and Maurice Houle.

Kenogami Courage has two starts already and was victorious in a $22,200 division of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots at Hiawatha Horse Park in 2:02.1.

Another well-bred starter is Tite Beer En Mass, who goes from post seven for driver Kevin Maguire. Tite Beer En Mass is sired by Muscle Mass from the Have A Beer mare and multiple Quebec-Bred champion Beer Maggs. The filly is a half-sister to two Quebec champions as well in Hall Win 3,1:59.3h ($70,999), who races Friday in the third race Preferred 2 & 3 Handicap Trot, and Royalty Beer 3,1:59.3 ($40,761).

Bred and owned by the Ecuries Maguire of Sainte-Marie, Que., Tite Beer En Mass is trained by Jean-Francois Maquire, who did have high hopes for his filly.

“If you had asked me that question six to seven weeks ago, I’d say she’s faster than her two brothers were at this time," said Jean-Francois Maguire. "Unfortunately, she got hurt and now we are trying to fix her problems. It is not easy for her.”

First race post time on Friday is 4 p.m.

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

(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)