Outlaw Turn N Burn photoed with Surf Report in the Preferred Pace feature at Hippodrome 3R on Sunday, May 26 and took victory by a slim margin.
The race began with Bali and driver Stephane Brosseau showing uncharacteristic speed off the gate to take the lead while Chaleurs Ad sat the pocket seat with Surf Report and driver Tyler Jones hung first over in third. Past the opening quarter mile in :27.4, Bali continued to lead the field with Chaleurs Ad in second and Surf Report floating first over with Mister Big Top racing second over.
The field remained in their positions past a :57.1 half and moving to the backstretch. Reaching the third quarter in 1:25.3, Bali began to show he was tiring as Surf Report progressed on the outside to the take the lead. From the back of the back, Outlaw Turn N Burn and driver Francis Picard charged three wide with momentum.
Down the stretch a two-horse race ensued as Surf Report held the lead with Outlaw Turn N Burn gaining with every stride before sticking a nose in front on the wire. The one-mile race went in 1:55 with Bali holding for third place.
It was the second-straight win and third of the season for Outlaw Turn N Burn. The six-year-old gelding by Blue Burner is conditioned by defending two-time leading trainer, Francis Richard and is owned by The Perle Royale Stable of Montreal. He paid $5.10 to win as the wagering favourite.
Rainbow Palace, the top pacing mare at the Hippodrome 3R over the past two years, scored her first win of the season in her third start, wiring the field for owner-driver Francis Picard in 1:56.1. Last week’s winner in the Fillies & Mares Preferred-Handicap, Uptown Woman, was second with Jens Credit third.
Trained by Dominique Picard and owned by Francis of Warwick, Rainbow Palace is a seven-year-old mare by Royal Mattjesty. She paid $8.10 to win.
Francis Picard, Stephane Gendron and Pascal Berube each won two races on the card. Trainer Serge Houde also sent two winners.
Live racing resumes on Friday, May 31 at the Hippodrome 3R with first race post time at 7:00 p.m.
(with files from Quebec Jockey Club)
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R.