After an uncharacteristic hop last week, Beer Maggs was back on her best behaviour Sunday at Hippodrome de Quebec, which was bad news for her opponents
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The four-year-old Have A Beer-Esther Gagne mare took command from the start for trainer-driver Kevin Maguire, repelled a determined challenge from favourite Nuriev Dream for the last half-mile, and dug in for a three-quarter-length victory in 2:03.2 in the $6,000 first leg of the Les Quebecoises Series for Quebec-bred trotting mares aged four and five. Northern Crown finished third.
Clearly a horse for the course, Beer Maggs ($4.60) has won six times in nine starts at the Quebec City track over the past two years -- including two Quebec stake finals in 2011 -- with two runner-up finishes. The only blot on her record was an off-the-board finish after a break at the start on the opening program of the 2012 season. She's owned by Ecurie Maguire Inc. of Ste. Marie, Que.
The other division of the Quebecoises Series for mares went to Rea Bayama ($6.30) in 2:01.2. With Pascal Berube in the bike, the five-year-old Taurus Dream-Keliane Bayama mare, a 2010 Quebec stakes winner, converted a pocket trip into a two and a half length victory over pacesetter Northernpromise. Monte Jojo was third. The win was her second in 10 starts this year for trainer Dominic Gladu and owner Emmanuel Macret of Verdun, Que.
The events for male trotters were won by a pair of five-year-old first-time Quebec winners.
Driven by Sylvain Lacaille, the Martine Biron-trained Gogetno ($7.70) advanced to the lead around eventual second place finisher Xpress Panic after the opening quarter and cruised home for the one and three-quarter length tally in 2:02.1 for owner Jeannine Biron of Trois-Rivieres, Que. Rideau Carleton Raceway's Raindrop Series runner-up Erge Baboche, the odds-on favourite, was third. The win was the Fortuna Winner-Hesitation gelding's second in 11 seasonal starts.
Close The Light ($12) and trainer-driver Michel Audet rallied home off second over cover to win in 2:04.3 by nearly three lengths over pacesetter Le Senateur A L and Gabin. Audet shares ownership of the Peddler Yorktowne-Hazel B L Pass gelding, who notched his first win in 14 seasonal starts, with Jean Lavictoire of Clarence Creek, Ont.
Audet scored a training triple on the 12-race card while Louis Philippe Turcotte earned his first ever win as a conditioner. The 21-year-old resident of St. Georges De Champlain, Que. scored with his 15th starter M G Junior, who broke his own maiden in 2:02.3 in rein to Jean Louis LaFlamme after wearing down pacesetter Desir Dorleans in the fourth race conditioner. The three-year-old Aces Up-Amenable Hanover colt is owned and bred by Georgette Guillemette Inc. of Becancour, Que.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome Quebec.
(With files from Paul Delean)