Management at the Hippodrome 3R has released its new race dates, stakes schedule and special events for the 2017 race season.
There will be 40 live race days and nights at 3R this season. Opening day will come early to Trois-Rivieres this year, as it will take place on Sunday, April 23. The season will run through to Sunday, November 5.
The highlight of the season will be the annual $200,000 Prix D’ete for four-year-old pacers on Sunday, August 20. It will be the fourth renewal of the stakes race.
Last season, U.S. Horse of the Year Wiggle It Jiggleit was upset by Rockin Ron over a ‘sloppy’ track in one of the most dramatic races in 3R history.
First nomination payment must be made by March 15, 2017. New for the 2017 Prix D’Ete is that horses that finish sixth through eight place will be getting a cheque for $1,000.
First-race post time for the track’s Sunday programs has changed to 12:50 p.m., and first-race post time for Tuesday nights will remain at 7:00 p.m. The first Tuesday program will take place on May 30.
There will be two major driver’s tournaments this season. The second annual All-Star Tournament will take place on Sunday, June 4 and will again feature world-class drivers participating.
Then on a lone special Wednesday night program set for August 16, the Hippodrome 3R will play host to a division of the World Driving Championship.
The special competition takes place once every two years and brings together the top drivers from around the world. Featured will be the reigning champion, Dexter Dunn from New Zealand, along with Canada’s representative, Brandon Campbell.
For the first time at 3R, there will also be a special live racing program on Thanksgiving Day (Monday, October 9). Post time for the card has been set for 12:50 p.m.
The Quebec Sire Stakes program for two, three, four and five-year-old pacers and trotters will get underway starting May 14 with the Quebec Series four and five-year-old pacers and May 30 for the trotters. There will be three weeks of preliminary rounds with all the finals to be held on Sunday, June 25.
Both the Breeders Cup Series for three-year-olds and the Future Stars Series for two-year-olds are featured throughout July. The finals of all eight divisions, which is annually the richest race program of the season at 3R, is set for Sunday, September 3.
The Lucien Bombardier Stakes for two-year-old fillies will take place on Sunday, September 10.
This year 3R will also feature an $8,000 Open Trot and Pace each week provided the races can be filled.
Further details about the race meet will be forthcoming. For more information and the 2017 stakes calendar, visit quebecjockeyclub.com.
(Quebec Jockey Club)
They work at it. Good luck
They work at it. Good luck for another fun and successful race season. And, I urge any harness fan who has not been to H3R, to drop by. Great way to spend a summer Sunday afternoon.
Now this is what you call
Now this is what you call promoting. A diversify season of racing to attracted new patrons, a little bit of meat on the bone ($8000) to attract new horses to the game and who knows maybe a little bit for the race goers during the season. My hat is off to the administration, if you give a little, you may receive a lot. Take look at The Meadowlands' horse shoot-out for a car a the end of the season, it may be possible to find a sponsor? I got to say it, you folks are trying real hard to be successful and I wish you all the luck in the world.