Ladycorona saw her five-race winning streak come to an end at Hippodrome 3R on Sunday, Sept. 3 as Kiss Me Bad scored an upset victory in the $7,000 Preferred Handicap Pace for fillies and mares.

In the fifth race co-feature, even-money Ladycorona (Pascal Berube) took early command from the slightly favoured Celia Bayama (Stephane Brosseau) to the first quarter in :27.3.

Meanwhile, Ashestodiamonds (Robert Shepherd) moved first-over early with 8-1 shot Kiss Me Bad and driver Steven Gagnon second-over. Berube then backed down Ladycorona at the half-mile in just :59 (a :31.2 quarter) and seemed to be in control of the pace as the field entered the backstretch.

That was when Gagnon moved three-wide with Kiss Me Bad, but was unable to clear Ashestodiamonds as Ladycorona led to the three-quarters in 1:28.1. They raced three-wide around the final turn with YS Sensationalcity (Jocelyn Gendron) following the three-wide move of Kiss Me Bad.

Once they started down the stretch, Kiss Me Bad had too much momentum and collared Ladycorona approaching the wire and then held off YS Sensationalcity to win by a quarter-length in 1:57.1. Ladycorona was third by a half a length.

The win was the fourth of the season in a dozen starts for Kiss Me Bad. The seven-year-old Badlands Hanover mare is owned by her Sorel-Tracy, Que. driver and is trained by Daniel Mondou. She paid $18.80 to win.

In the seventh race Preferred Handicap for male pacers, there was another upset as Ontario invader Major Hill (Pascal Berube) was the 7-5 wagering favourite but could not hold off Sports Bettor at the finish wire.

After Sports Bettor and driver Pierre-Luc Roy cleared Shanghaigold (Robert Shepherd) to take the early lead at the first quarter in :28.3, the favourite Major Hill flew to the front to lead the field to the half-mile in an easy :58.1.

D Gs De Vito (Jonathan Lachance) then went first-over with Perpetual Rock (Stephane Brosseau) second-over down the backstretch. D Gs De Vito edged past Major Hill as they went to the three-quarters in 1:27.

Around the final turn, D Gs De Vito was still on the outside first-over but could not clear by Major Hill, who was under a hard drive by Berube.

Heading down the stretch, Major Hill started to come back on against D Gs De Vito, but it was the pocket-sitting Sports Bettor who had some pace and came on to beat Major Hill by a neck in 1:56.1. D Gs De Vito was a close third.

The win was the eighth of the year in 25 starts for Sports Bettor,  who is trained by Kevin Maguire for Ecuries Maguire Inc. of Sainte-Marie, Que. The 11-year-old Sportswriter gelding now has 39 career wins and lifetime earnings totalling $657,577. He paid $11.20 to win.

It was National Caretaker Appreciation Day at 3R on Sunday and every groom in the race paddock received a free lunch along with special prize drawings during the day for the caretakers. The name of every groom for each horse racing Sunday was mentioned by track announcer Guy Lafontaine during every post parade and handicapper Daniel Delisle interviewed each groom of the winning horse in the winner’s circle.

3R leading driver Pascal Berube continued to have the hot hands as he scored four winners on the Sunday race card. Leading trainer Marc-Andre Simoneau had a double.

Live racing resumes at 3R next Friday, Sept. 8 at 4 p.m. Next Sunday, Sept. 10 is Super Sunday with all eight Quebec Championships being held featuring $500,000 in total purses. Three-time O’Brien Award-winning driver Louis-Philippe Roy will be returning to 3R to drive next Sunday. Post time is 12 noon.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R.

(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)