Hippodrome 3R hosted the opening round of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old trotting fillies and colts on Friday, July 19 and undefeated Chic Choc Rose stole the show.

The overwhelming 1-9 race favourite in the sixth race, $10,000 division for two-year-old trotting fillies, Chic Choc Rose and trainer/driver Marie-Claude Auger took no prisoners. Making just her second career start, Chic Choc Rose went right out to the early lead and held the field at bay the entire mile. She cut fractions of :30.4, 1:02.2 and 1:33.4 before easily holding off the pocket-sitting Massive Emotion (Pascal Berube) to win by 2-3/4 lengths in a new mark of 2:03.3. Miche Charm (Denis St. Pierre) was third.

Now undefeated in two starts, Chic Choc Rose is trained and was bred by Auger, who co-owns the Royalty For Life-Torches Angel filly with Catheline Pelletier and Arianne Girard. Chic Choc Rose paid just $2.20 to win.

Due to just three horses entered, the $10,000 colt division of the Future Stars Series was held as a non-wagering event. Im Just A Gigolo, owned, bred, trained and driven by Jerome Lombart of Bromont, Que., was able to hold his two rivals at bay, leading the entire mile and winning by one length in 2:07.1. Muscle Du Haras (Auger) was second with Mass Speed (St. Pierre) third.

The maiden-breaking Lookslikeachpndale-Promising Lavec colt happens to be a half brother to top trotting mare X O X O, who won Friday’s ninth race, $8,500 trot for Quebec-breds.

With driver Denis St. Pierre in the sulky, X O X O led from the start, cutting fractions of :29.2, :59.4 and 1:29.3 with co-favourite Frido PV (Berube) sitting right on their back. At the top of the stretch, Frido PV went after X O X O and those two battled to the wire with X O X O pulling away at the finish to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:59.3. Ciel Bleu (Stephane Brosseau) closed from the backfield for third.

X O X O earned her third win of the season from 13 starts and 26th victory lifetime. The six-year-old Angus Hall mare is trained by Michel Allard for owner Danielle Henri of Saint-Esprit, Que. X O X O paid $5.90 to win.

An incident occurred in the 10th race finale when Southwind Leo broke stride and fell while racing second-over near the third quarter mark, unseating driver Mario Lachance. No other horses and drivers in the race were effected. The Quebec Jockey Club has reported that Lachance sustained injuries to his shoulder and wrist from the spill and was transported to hospital for further assessment and treatment along with Steven Gagnon, who suffered an ankle injury and head injury while trying to catch the loose horse. 

Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing Mario Lachance and Steven Gagnon a full and speedy recovery.

Live harness racing resumes on Sunday, July 21, with the opening round of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old pacing fillies and colts. First race post time on Sunday is 12 noon. For free race programs, visit hippodrome3r.ca.

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

(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)