Prominent equine veterinarian and Standardbred breeder/owner/trainer Dr. John Bradbury of Cookshire-Eaton saw his mare, Wild River Swan, return to winning form at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday (Oct. 25).
Driven by Francis Picard, Wild River Swan started from the rail in the Preferred Pace for fillies and mares, which was carded as Race 3. Once the seven-year-old Sportswriter mare left the gate, the race was pretty much over.
Godiva Mackiavelyc (who was driven by Carol Voyer) left from Post 5 and dropped right into the two-hole and sat tight as Wild River Swan cut the mile to the quarter in :27.4.
Wild River Swan was full of herself as she went by the half mile marker in :58.1. Race favourite Sieras Rose (Pascal Berube) sat in third place as Kiss Me Bad (Steeven Genois) came first-over but could gain no ground before breaking stride.
Past the three-quarters pole in 1:27.1, Picard and Wild River Swan were already pulling away from the field. They went on to win by four open lengths in 1:57.3. Sieras Rose was second with Sophies Cam (Stephane Brosseau) closing for third place.
The victory was the fourth win this year for Wild River Swan. She paid $7.20 to win.
Somewhere Bettor, pictured in victory.
The biggest upset mile of the day came in the Preferred-Handicap Pace for the males (Race 8), as Somewhere Bettor and driver Jocelyn Gendron upset the field at odds of 36-1.
The race saw an early dogfight for the led between Famers Tan (Carol Voyer) the race favourite and Wrangler Cash (Pascal Berube), as those two sped to an opening quarter mile in :26.4 before Berube backed up with Wrangler Cash.
Farmers Tan continue to cut the mile, going to the half in :55.1 with Mickeymaksomespeed (Steeven Genois) sitting the two-hole spot.
Along the backstretch, Stephane Brosseau came three-wide with Hooter Shooter and by the three-quarters in 1:25.1, had collared Farmers Tan. And following the outside flow of the race was the longest shot on the board, Somewhere Bettor.
Coming down the stretch, Somewhere Bettor gained ground with every stride, caught Hooter Shooter in deep stretch to win by half a length in 1:55. DJ Power (Samuel Fillion) was third.
The win time proved to be a new lifetime mark for Somewhere Bettor. The four-year-old gelding by Bettors Delight is trained and owned by Yannick Martel of L’Assomption and paid $74.50 to win.
Capteur De Reve, pictured in victory.
In the Preferred-Handicap Trot (Race 5), Sir Chopin (Carol Voyer) went to the lead with Voodoo Man (Jocelyn Gendron) and Wildwild Men (Steeven Genois) all in a battle. Then Wildwild Men went off-stride and scattered the back of the pack.
Race favourite, Severus Hanover (Stephane Brosseau) then charged right to the lead at the half mile in :59.1 and three-quarters in 1:29.1 and it was then that Capteur De Reve and driver Stephane Gendron came after Severus Hanover, catching him on the final turn and then coasting to the wire by three lengths in 1:59.2. Severus Hanover held for second with Sir Chopin third.
The victory was the fifth win of the year for Capteur De Reve, the four-time Quebec-bred champion. The six-year-old gelding by Muscle Mass is trained by Maxime Velaye for the Provoquante Stable of Mirabel, who also bred the horse. He paid $8.60 to win.
Track Notes: Francis Picard had the hot hands with a driving triple Sunday. Serge Houde led the trainers with a double. With no more Friday live racing this season, racing will resume next Sunday at H3R with first race post time at 1:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.
To view the harness racing results for Sunday at H3R, click the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(Quebec Jockey Club)