The Hippodrome 3R will host its second annual Drivers Tournament on Sunday afternoon with a purse for the participants at $3,000.
Last year it was Yannick Gingras who put on a driving clinic in the inaugural tournament, winning five of the eight races in the competition, but this year he could not return to defend his title.
Featured in the contest will be Canada’s top driver and representative to the World Driving Championship, Jody Jamieson, and also coming back to 3R is native son Sylvain Filion.
The leading driver this season at 3R, Denis St Pierre, heads the local drivers along with Jocelyn Gendron, Mario Charron, Pascal Berube, Stephane Brosseau, and Stephane Gendron.
“This is going to be a good tournament,” said St Pierre. “Jody Jamieson and Sylvain Filion are great drivers, but I am ready for them. I did not get lucky with the post position draws, but I am never out of the race and look forward to some good competition.”
The tournament will be held in eight of the 10 races on program, Races 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. The point system used is the same a purses are allocated, 50 for 1st, 25 for 2nd, 12 for 3rd, 8 for 4th and 5 for 5th place. And the $3,000 prize will be divided up the same way.
One of the great match-ups takes place in the ninth race pace where Jamieson is aboard the 5-2 race favourite, Articular, who is one of three return winners in the field. Articular won his last start by wiring the field and winning by a neck in a lifetime best 1:57.2. He will start from post four.
Another contender is LaCaille Gabe from post seven for Brosseau. LaCaille Gabe was able to post his first win this year last week, also in a lifetime mark of 1:56.
The third return winner in the field is Matts Phil, who starts from the rail for Gendron. Matts Phil already has five wins this year and last week led from start to finish in a lifetime best 1:58.
“This competition will be very competitive,” said Vincent Trudel, the general manager at the Hippodrome 3R. “The drivers love to win and the racing fans love to see them in a tournament like this. I wish the best of luck to all eight of the drivers.”
There is a special post time Sunday at the Hippodrome 3R at 2 p.m. Racing fans are encouraged to come out early as there will be an autograph and meet and greet session with the drivers in the tournament starting at 12 p.m.
To view Sunday's harness racing entries, click on the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from QJC)