Pieraz Upsets Duc Dorleans In 3R Feature
In a classic dogfight for control of the lead, Pieraz, a 12-1 longshot, parked out the 1-9 favourite, track record holder Duc Dorleans, and went on to win the feature pace at Hippodrome 3R on Sunday.
Racing fans were able to witness as driver Sylvain Lacaille sent Pieraz to the early lead with D Gs Woodstock and Stephane Brosseau grabbing the two-hole spot and Duc Dorleans parked first-over for driver Francis Picard. They raced that way through the opening quarter panel in :28.1.
The dogfight continued with Duc Dorleans sticking his head out for the lead at the half-mile marker in :57, but Pieraz would not let him pass and by the three-quarter pole in 1:25.1, Pieraz held a head advantage over Duc Dorleans as they rounded the final turn and headed for home.
As they came down the stretch, Pieraz started to move away and D Gs Woodstock was ready to mount a challenge. However, D Gs Woodstock went off-stride and caused minor interference with Duc Dorleans, but it was too late to make a difference as Pieraz coasted to the wire an easy winner by four open lengths in 1:55.3.
Duc Dorleans held for second-place with Onyx V A and Mario Charron third.
The win was the first in four starts this year for Pieraz. An eight-year-old gelded son of Bolero Master, Pieraz is trained and co-owned by Pierre Leclerc with Gina Bragagnolo of Louiseville, Que. He paid $26.20 to win.
After just two days into the 2014 race meet, Hippodrome 3R is now boasting some of the highest win prices in horse racing. The average win price after 21 races is $14.50.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from QJC)