Sunday (May 19) marked the first time ever that the Perle Royale Stable's Outlaw Turn N Burn had ever been to Hippodrome 3R, and he turned it into a big victory in the Preferred Handicap Pace.
With driver Francis Picard in the sulky, Outlaw Turn N Burn left from post four but was unable to grab the early lead away from Chaleurs Ad (Jocelyn Gendron), who forced Picard to stuff Outlaw Turn N Burn into the two-hole by the opening quarter in :27.3.
They raced that way to the half-mile marker in :56.4 as Surf Report, going for his third straight win at H3R for driver Tyler Jones, came first-over to challenge.
Racing up the backstretch, Jones was unable to collar Chaleurs Ad on the front end, and Rose Run Slider (Stephane Gendron) came three-wide to try to loop the field on the final turn, but Picard had other ideas, pulling the pocket with Outlaw Turn N Burn.
Outlaw Turn N Burn pulled away strongly in the stretch to win by two lengths in 1:56.1. Chaleurs Ad held for second with Windsun Cheyenne (Marie Claude Auger) third.
It was the first win in seven starts this year for Outlaw Turn N Burn, who paid $10.30.
In the Preferred Handicap Trot, 3-5 favourite Upvote Hanover and driver Stephane Brosseau came first-over against pacesetter Holiday Party (Pascal Berube) before clearing on the final turn and then pulling away for a 2-3/4 length triumph in 2:01.
Rocky Boy (Marc Belanger) made a bold three-wide move from sixth on the final turn and closed well to be second. Holiday Party was third.
Trained by Yves Tessier for owner Francis Morin, it was the second win this year for Upvote Hanover, who paid $3.30 to win.
Pascal Berube was the hot driver at Hippodrome 3R Sunday with three wins, capturing both ends of the daily double and also the third race. Isabelle Binet led all trainers with two wins.
Hippodrome 3R begins Friday night racing this week on May 24; first race post time is 7 p.m.
For more information, visit www.quebecjockeyclub.com.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Hippodrome 3R.
(Québec Jockey Club)