The harness racing surface at Hippodrome 3R in Quebec was in prime condition for the first qualifying races of the 2023 season on Saturday, April 15. The half-mile oval is preparing for its opening day on Sunday, April 30.
There were six qualifying events on the program that began at 11 a.m. under sunny skies. Qualifying races will be held at H3R every Saturday morning throughout the entire race season. The races are also broadcast live on the Hippodrome 3R Facebook page.
The fastest of the qualifying races went to Hooter Shooter (sired by Badlands Hanover) in the third race for pacers. The game 10-year-old gelding, driven by four-time reigning driving champion Pascal Berube, led from start to finish, holding the rest of the field at bay and winning by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:59.2. Hooter Shooter is trained and owned by Marc-Andre Simoneau of Trois-Rivieres, Que.
The fastest trotting qualifying race saw A R Hercule (by Rose Run Hooligan) and trainer-driver Jean-Paul Rousse get away in second place at the quarter-mile and then move to the lead, pulling away from the field to win in a romp by 8-1/2 lengths in 2:00.3. A six-year-old gelding, A R Hercule is also owned by Rousse of Epiphanie, Que.
Berube had the hot hands and some fast horses as he won three of the six qualifying races. Berube is currently just nine pari-mutuel wins away from his 3,000th career win.
To view harness racing results for Saturday morning qualifiers, click the following link: Saturday Results (Qualifers) - Hippodrome 3R.
(Quebec Jockey Club)