Only For Justice, reigning champion of the Quebec-Bred Series for older trotters, is back to defend his title when the 2024 series gets underway on Friday, June 21 at Hippodrome 3R.

Fresh off the fastest trotting mile of 3R season last week, a 1:58.2 impressive score, Only For Justice is the 5-2 morning line favourite in the $8,500 first leg of the series.

On Friday, June 14, the eight-year-old Justice Hall gelding Only For Justice and driver Francis Picard went the overland route, first-over from before the half mile, grinding his way to the lead by three-quarters and then winning in a romp by 6-3/4 lengths.

It was a tough mile for Only For Justice, who raced only four times last year in the series for trainer Linda Belanger before sustaining an injury following his victory in the $30,000 final that kept him sidelined until April this year. 

"We gave him six months of rest," Belanger explained after his return to the winner's circle last week. "I qualified him twice and [last Friday] was his third start, so he was ready. 'Only' is a high-class horse and we give him the best care we can to keep him in good shape."

When asked how Only For Justice came out of the race last week, Belanger replied, “'Only' has recovered well from his race last Friday, and I am very happy about it.”

What kind of routine does he go through during the week when he is racing?

“'Only' goes to the paddock every day in the morning before going jogging, and he loves it," said Belanger. "He is the first to go outside and we cannot forget him as he lets us know.

“During the week, he jogs every day. I don’t drag him around a lot to keep him steady. If his legs remain beautiful, he can continue to improve.”

A $567,044 career winner with 21 lifetime victories for owner/breeder Ecurie Gaetan Bono Inc. of Laval, Que., Only For Justice has a record of 1:52.3 taken at age five at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

On Friday, he will start from post three in the field of six with Picard back in the bike.

“'Only' may not be the horse he was, but he remains a class horse,” added Belanger.

Only For Justice will face Thats Hooligan, driven by Marie-Claude Auger, from post two. The Peter Lepage trainee had his three-race winning streak come to an end last week at the hands of Only For Justice. Other top contenders include Frido PV (post one) and Timonier (post six).

The Quebec-Bred Series opener for pacers is set for Sunday with Guy Corbeil's homebred Aladdin listed as the 5-2 morning line favourite from post eight. The Maxime Velaye trainee will ship in off his first victory of the season last Sunday while competing in the Preferred ranks at Rideau Carleton Raceway. Stephane Brosseau will retain the drive on the five-year-old Shadow Play gelding.

Aladdin was the runner-up in the series final last year to Michel Nolette's homebred The Light Speed, who has drawn just to his inside and is the 3-1 second choice for driver Jocelyn Gendron and trainer Guy Gagnon. That six-year-old Moon Beam gelding has won four of the last five Preferreds at Rideau, defeated by just a neck in their last match-up.

First race post time is 4 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m. on Sunday. 

To view this weekend's harness racing entries, click the following links: Friday Entries - Hippodrome 3R // Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.

(Quebec Jockey Club & Standardbred Canada)