The highest payoff of the 2016 harness racing season at the Hippodrome 3R took place in the very first race on Sunday (October 23) when Classic Mondiale and driver Pierre-Luc Roy upset the field at odds of 101-1, paying $204.50 for a two-dollar win wager.

The first race pace started off with Trys Little Prince and driver Steeve Genois shooting to the early lead from post five with Mr Sunshine Boy (Pascal Berube) following in second to the opening quarter-mile.

Then, heading to the half-mile marker, race favourite Iron Phil (Louis-Philippe Roy) went first-over, with Onyx A V (Marion Charron) following second-over. Classic Mondiale was third-over in the flow.

In the backstretch, Iron Phil led the outside flow and gained ground on pacesetter Trys Little Prince, taking the lead as the field started down the stretch, but it was Classic Mondiale who was the strong horse, closing from fourth-place on the outside to win by one length in 2:00.1 for Roy. Iron Phil was second while Onyx A V finished third.

Across the board, Classic Mondiale paid $204.50 to win, $13.80 to place and $5.90 to show. Ironically, the previous highest win price at 3R this season was produced by second-place finisher Iron Phil, who paid $99.40 to win back on June 7 for driver Louis-Philippe Roy.

Owned and trained by Marco Fillion of Saint-Moise, Que., Classic Mondiale earned his fourth win this year from 17 starts. The seven-year-old gelded son of Omar Khayam was scratched sick last week, but two starts prior had won at 3R at odds of 9-2.

It was a Roy family Daily Double with Pierre-Luc Roy winning the first race and then his younger brother, leading driver Louis-Philippe Roy, capturing the second race with M G Kudos ($3.20). Louis-Philippe Roy leads all drivers at 3R this season with 57 wins.

Driver Gaetan Lamy had the hot hands at 3R Sunday afternoon, winning three races on the program and thus earned the Tour du Champeau bonus, sponsored locally by Gentilly Ford autos, which offers a $100 bonus to any driver who can win three races on the program at 3R.

Trainer Yves Tessier had only one starter at 3R on Sunday, Strokin ($7.50), who won the ninth race. With that victory, Tessier widened his lead as top trainer to 22 to 20 over reigning champion Maxime Velaye.

Driver Pascal Berube, who is second in the driver standings at 35 wins, ended a long losing streak with a victory aboard Dream Of Mattjesty ($5.60) in the eighth race.

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

(With files from QJC)