Not even the photo finish camera could separate race favourites Era Of Love and Rec Time to see who won the $5,000 Preferred Pace for the mares at Hippodrome 3R on Sunday, Sept. 1. It was the first dead heat for win of the season at the Trois-Rivières, Que. half-mile oval.

Shanghaibluebeach (William Roy) was first on the lead with Era Of Love taking the two-hole trip for driver Pascal Berube. Then Berube came back with Era Of Love after a :27.1 opening quarter.

Era Of Love controlled the pace as they went by the half-mile in :57 while Mac N Cheddar (Robert Shepherd) was already advancing first-over with Rec Time and driver Denis St. Pierre second-over.

Right before reaching the three-quarters mark in 1:26.2, St. Pierre took Rec Time three-wide to sweep by Mach N Cheddar and started to go after Era Of Love on the final turn.

Rec Time then closed the gap on Era Of Love down the stretch, matching strides at the wire for the dead heat win in 1:56.3. Shanghaibluebeach was third, 2-3/4 lengths behind the winners.

Era Of Love earned her second win of the season from 20 starts and eighth victory lifetime. The five-year-old roan mare by JK Endofanera is trained by Jean-Francois Maguire, who also co-owns with Jean Allaire.

The win was the fifth (consecutive) of the year from 18 starts for Rec Time and counted as her 19th career victory. The four-year-old Huntsville mare is trained by Michel Allard for owner Danielle Henri.

Both mares paid $2.10 to win in the fifth race.

By the ninth race, the day turned from sunny skies to rain clouds, then misty rain by the time the 10th race $5,000 Preferred Pace for the horses and geldings went to post.

Light The Torch, driven by Pascal Berube, was made the overwhelming 1-9 race favourite from the rail and rightly so, as he led from start to finish.

By the opening quarter-mile in :28.3, Light The Torch was on top with trailing tier starter Frozen Hanover (Stephane Brosseau) getting the two-hole trip while Ritchie Alpha (William Roy) was stuck first-over with no place to go but forward. No Time At All (Simon Delisle) was second-over.

 Light The Torch controlled the pace to the half-mile in :59.1 and to the three-quarters in 1:28 as Ritchie Alpha began to fade forcing No Time At All three-wide.

By the top of the stretch, Light The Torch got separation from Frozen Hanover and sped away to a 3-1/2-length triumph in 1:56.4. Frozen Hanover was second with Sports Bettor (Denis St. Pierre) third.

Light The Torch earned his second straight win and seventh of the year frrom 20 starts. The four-year-old Always B Miki gelding, a career winner of 13 races, is owned by trainer Marc-Andre Simoneau and Jean Fontaine. He paid just $2.20 to win.

Pascal Berube had the hot hands Sunday, winning four races on the card. It is the third time this year he has accomplished that feat. Both Stephane Brosseau and Simon Delisle had driving doubles and Marc-Andre Simoneau had a training double.

Next Sunday, Sept. 8 is Super Sunday at 3R with the Quebec-bred championships for two-and-three-year-olds. The three-year-olds will race for $65,000 purses and the two-year-olds will go for $55,000 purses. Total purses for the day should exceed $500,000, making it the richest day of racing in Quebec this year.

Live racing resumes on Friday, Sept. 6 with post time at 4 pm. 

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

(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)