It was perhaps one of the toughest races of his young career, but Le Millenaire came out on top with a gusty neck victory in the feature trot at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday, Oct. 30.
Driven by Stephane Brosseau, Le Millenaire went out for the early lead in the third race, but was stung to the opening quarter-mile by Lucky Promesses and driver Jerome Lombart before clearing to the lead.
Then coming down the stretch the first time, driver Stephane Gendron came first-over with 8-5 favourite Mentzer Hanover and they mounted their challenge against Le Millenaire. Those two went at it neck and neck down the entire backstretch and around the final turn.
As they started down the stretch, Brosseau urged Le Millenaire on and started to pull away as Mentzer Hanover found another gear, but it was too late as Le Millenaire held on to win by a diminishing long neck. The Great Bambino was third.
Not only was it the third straight win for Le Millenaire, it was his seventh win on the season in just 13 starts for trainer Serge Nadeau and breeder/owner Marcel Brouillard of St-Marcel-de-Richelieu, Que.
The three-year-old colt by Windsong Espoir paid $6.30 to win. The winning time was a lifetime mark for Le Millenaire, who covered the one-mile race over the heavy, wet track in 2:04. It should be noted that Le Millenaire lost the use of his right eye as a two-year-old, but still races well despite the loss of the one eye.
"I really thought he would do better today,” said Brosseau of his colt. “We just held on at the wire. He was not his usual enthusiastic self. I honestly thought we would go faster than we did when I asked him to give me some speed. But he still won and we will take it, but I know he can do better, no doubt!"
TRACK NOTES: Leading 3R driver Louis-Philippe Roy did his weekly “hit and run” as he drove in just the first race, wired the field with Ninoscredit and then took off to drive at Rideau Carlton Raceway. He now has 58 wins this season at 3R. Roy is also the leading driver at Rideau Carlton, 119 to 105, over Guy Gagnon.
With two victories at 3R Sunday, driver Stephane Gendron tied Pascal Berube, 35 to 35, for second-place in the driver standings. Mario Charron also had a driving double on the program.
Leading trainer Yves Tessier added one more win to his lead as he sent out fourth race winner, Marc Hanover. Tessier leads defending champion Maxime Velaye for the training title, 23 to 20.
Live racing resumes next Sunday at the Hippodrome 3R, which will be the second to last Sunday before the end of the race season.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)