The Quebec Jockey Club has announced they will host their inaugural All-Star Spring Drivers Tournament at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday, June 5 with John Campbell and Tim Tetrick headlining the top drivers that will compete.
Featured will be the greatest lineup of professional harness racing drivers ever to grace the 3R half-mile oval. In addition to Campbell and Tetrick will be the Grand Circuit’s leading driver Yannick Gingras, Trois-Rivieres native Daniel Dube, leading Ontario-based drivers Sylvain Filion and Jody Jamieson with local standouts Denis St. Pierre and Mario Charron completing the lineup.
The eight all-star drivers will compete in eight races on the race program with a prize purse of $10,000. There will be an early meet and greet session with the drivers and interviews throughout the day.
“What a superb tournament this will be,” said Vincent Trudel, general manager at the Hippodrome 3R. “Never before has such a great field of world class drivers ever been assembled to compete here at 3R. Racing fans around the world will be in for a special treat on June 5. This will be a big day in the history of horse racing in Quebec.”
For both Campbell and Tetrick, it will be the first time they have ever driven at the Hippodrome 3R.
“I can’t wait to come to 3R for this tournament,” said Hall of Famer John Campbell. “The last time I was in Quebec was in the 1980’s when I drove in the Prix D’Ete at the Hippodrome Blue Bonnets in Montreal. It will be great to compete for the first time at the Hippodrome 3R.”
“The Quebec Jockey Club is doing such a great job at the Hippodrome 3R,” said Quebec native Yannick Gingras. “And this tournament will be super. The racetrack there is very good. It allows the fans to be right up close to the action –- closer than any track I have ever competed at. They have also done a good job on their racing surface and their half-mile track is as good as any in the sport. I look forward to coming back, seeing my friends and family and driving in the tournament.”
“What an honour it is to be invited to compete against these world class drivers,” said Denis St. Pierre, the leading driver at 3R the past two years. “This will be a great event for every horse racing fan in Quebec that no one should miss. I am really looking forward to June 5.”
(with files from QJC)