Longshot Quebec Hanover and his pilot Louis-Philippe Roy capitalized on a perfect pocket trip to capture the $36,000 Preferred Trot at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday, Feb. 3.
In the second race feature, New Rules (Trevor Henry) took command early, setting fractions of :27.3, :56.1 and 1:24.4, with Quebec Hanover sitting patiently in the two-hole and Franks Angel (Tyler Borth) tracking in third. Meanwhile, O'Brien Award finalist Amigo Volo (James MacDonald), the 4-5 heavy favourite, was unhurried early, sitting fourth. As the field approached the final turn, Amigo Volo tipped out and began to roll, but Quebec Hanover found room up the inside and surged past a tiring New Rules, drawing clear to win by two lengths in 1:54.2 with a strong stretch drive over the 'good' track. New Rules held for second, while Amigo Volo settled for third.
A five-year-old gelding by Walner out of Queen Of Grace, Quebec Hanover secured his first Preferred-level victory for trainer Benoit Baillargeon, who co-owns with Claude Hamel, Santo Vena and Nunzio Vena. The victory marked his 13th career win, boosting his lifetime earnings to $232,709.
Quebec Hanover paid $27.60 at the betting windows with the upset victory.
Louis-Philippe Roy was victorious again in Race 4 with a live catch-drive on Royalty Beer, who earned his fifth consecutive win. A wire-to-wire winner in the $24,000 high-end conditioned trot, Royalty Beer set fractions of :28.1, :58.1 and 1:26.4, crossing the wire in 1:55.3, winning by half a length. Sid The Kid (Brett MacDonald) was second and Truffles Too (Mario Baillargeon) rounded out the top three.
The six-year-old gelding has made five starts in the 2025 season, returning to the winner's circle after each one. Trained by Jean-Francois Maguire for owner Ecuries Maguire, the homebred son of Royalty For Life-Beer Maggs now boasts 23 career wins, bringing his lifetime earnings to $356,227.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)