Trainer Marc-Andre Simoneau harnessed two winners at Hippodrome 3R on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 22 and tied David Pilon at 29 wins each atop the trainer standings. There are only two days of racing left for the 3R race meet in 2023.
Simoneau’s winners, Proberts Legacy ($2.50) and Light The Torch ($4.30), were driven by Pascal Berube, who led all drivers with a triple on Sunday. With a 23-win lead over his nearest rival, 74-52, Berube is a shoo-in to win his fourth straight driving title at 3R.
It was a rainy day at 3R on Sunday with the track condition sloppy and a three-second allowance from the judges.
In the $4,000 feature pace for fillies and mares, Jimbelina (pictured above) and driver Marie-Claude Auger were not going to allow anyone to pass them by, especially race favourite NY Hardcore (Robert Shepherd).
After Jimbelina cut the quarter in :29.4, NY Hardcore was flushed first-over before the half-mile in 1:01.2. NY Hardcore continued to gain ground on Jimbelina as they passed the three-quarters in 1:31.2. The two leaders were head and head going into the final turn, but once they started down the stretch, Jimbelina proved to be too tough, pulling away to win with ease by 3-3/4 lengths in 2:01.2. Dads Princess (Stephane Brosseau) was second with NY Hardcore third.
The win was the second in just four starts this season for Jimbelina. The 10-year-old Big Jim mare is trained by Andre Champagne for owner Roland Trudel. She paid $9.60 to win.
The "Princess of Trot" at 3R, Stella Alpha, returned to her winning ways in the $4,000 feature trot.
Awsome Phil (Steven Gagnon) cut the mile with Pascal Berube moving Stella Alpha first-over from third before the half-mile. By the backstretch, Awsome Phil and Stella Alpha had pulled away from the field. Stella Alpha went after Awsome Phil and those two locked horns until mid-stretch when Stella Alpha pulled away for a 2-1/4-length victory in 2:02.4. Goaltender (Francis Picard) rounded out the top three.
The win was the win on the season from 22 starts for Stella Alpha. The homebred four-year-old mare by Royalty For Life is trained by Sylvain Tremblay -- a two-time winner during Sunday's card -- for his Ecurie Alpha. She paid $2.90 to win.
Live harness racing resumes next Sunday, Oct. 29 at 12 noon.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)