Despite Mother Nature providing early downpours that left the Hippodrome 3R track in 'good' shape with a two second allowance, the racing action was top notch on the half-mile oval Sunday.
Among the highlights on the card, legendary driver Gaetan Lamy scored his first win in his comeback from retirement.
Lamy went wire-to-wire in the ninth race pace with Cliff Drummond, winning with ease by two and three-quarter lengths in a quick 1:58.2. He paid $4.60 to win.
Pierre Ouellette Jr. trains the seven-year-old Leader Bayama gelding, who is owned by Normand Corriveau of Mascouche, Que. and was making his first start since 2013.
The win for Lamy was his 6,699th lifetime.
In the $4,200 eighth race co-feature pace, Rainbow Palace once again could not defeat her older rivals as the betting favourite for driver Francis Picard.
The lone filly in the race by Royal Mattjesty went out to the early lead, but could not hold off G Zattara and driver Steeven Genois, who took command right before the opening quarter-mile in :28.3.
Then able to back down the pace slightly, Genois got G Zattara to the half-mile marker in :59.2. They were challenged first-over by Matts Phil and Pascal Berube with Reel, after a late driver change to Mario Charron, able to get the second-over trip.
By the three-quarters, Berube and Matts Phil cleared to the lead in 1:29.2 and seemingly left Reel parked out and the filly, Rainbow Palace, stuck behind horses with plenty of speed.
As they came down to the wire, Reel and Charron would not give up and closed with a burst of late speed to win by a half-length in 1:59.3 over Matts Phil. Rainbow Palace found clearance and was third.
The win was the second in 10 starts this year for Reel. The four-year-old gelded son of Shadow Wave is trained by Maxime Velaye and owned by Guy Corbeil of Mirable, Que. He paid $7.00 to win.
The betting public did not allow the off track to change their minds as Miss Jackpot and driver Serge Ouellet were parked first-over for most of the one mile co-feature trot and still were able to win by one and three-quarter lengths in 2:01.4. They paid $5.20 to win. Serge Pigeon of Laval, Que. trains and owns the eight-year-old Credit Winner mare.
The first Wednesday night live program takes place next week with first race post time at 7:00 p.m.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results- Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from QJC)