After racing just two days ago and finishing second in 1:56.2, one would think that Littlebitaswagger would either be tight or tired for the Preferred Handicap Pace at Hippodrome 3R on Sunday (May 30).
He was tight.
The co-featured ninth race saw Littlebitaswagger and driver Francis Picard leave from post two — but Mickeymaksomespeed and Jonathan Lachance were also on the move from the far outside.
Those two began to duke it out, going to the opening quarter in :26.3 with Lachance backing off and dropping Mickeymaksomespeed into the two-hole. Picard rated Littlebitaswagger as they went by the half mile in :56.4. Then, Somewhere Bettor and Pascal Berube moved first-over from third place to challenge and nearly collar Littlebitaswagger past three-quarters in 1:26.1.
Littlebitaswagger still had something left in the tank, and Picard used it in the stretch as they won by two lengths in 1:55.3. Somewhere Bettor held for second with Veneno (Stephane Brosseau) grabbing third place.
It was the third win this year for Littlebitaswagger. The nine-year-old gelding by Santanna Blue Chip is owned and trained by Charles Gaudreault and paid $10.90 to win.
The Preferred Handicap Trot (race five) saw a determined Bucketlist Hanover and driver Samuel Fillion briefly sit the pocket behind early leader Fierce Magic (Simon Delisle). Then, before the opening quarter mile in :28, Fillion pulled on the right line and Bucketlist Hanover shot right to the lead.
From there, Bucketlist Hanover cut fractions of :57.2 and 1:27.3 before showing some back class for Fillion as they pulled away from the field to win by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:57.3. Fierce Magic was second with Frido PV (Yves St. Jacques) third.
It was the first win in 11 starts this year for Bucketlist Hanover, an eight-year-old gelded son of Cantab Hall. He is trained by Gilles Boucher for owner Paul Lehoux. The 4-5 favourite paid $3.70 to win.
It took until the Mares Preferred Handicap Pace (race seven) for driver Louis-Philippe Roy to win his first race of the afternoon. Leaving from post two, Y C Easy and Roy took early command and stuffed Sierras Rose (Marie-Claude Auger) into the two-hole, cruising to the first quarter mile in :28.3.
From there, it was all Y C Easy as she cut fractions of :59.1 and 1:28.3. Esprit Dequipe and driver Tyler Jones swept three-wide in the backstretch, looped the field and was face-to-face with Y C Easy on the final turn.
As the two started down the stretch, Y C Easy was just too much for Esprit Dequipe, going on to win by one length in 1:57.3. Topsill Beach (David Pilon) closed to be third.
A six-year-old mare by Sportswriter, Y C Easy paid $3.90 to win. It was her second straight win in this class for owner and trainer, Carl Duguay, of Trois-Rivieres.
Pascal Berube was the only driver to score a double Sunday. Platine Alpha became the winningest horse at H3R this season, scoring her third straight win with a 1:58 clocking.
Live racing resumes next week at Hippodrome 3R on Friday (June 4) with first race post time at 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.
To view Sunday's complete results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Hippodrome 3R.
(Québec Jockey Club)