Sultan D Or was able to sustain a dramatic comeback in the stretch to remain unbeaten in 2019 with his fourth straight victory on Friday (May 31) at the Hippodrome 3R.
Driven by Jocelyn Gendron, Sultan D Or worked his way to the lead by the opening quarter-mile in the fifth race trot and held his ground the entire one-mile race.
Stonebridge Alert and driver Pascal Berube were able to mount a three-wide move on the final turn and collared Sultan D Or in mid-stretche and looked to be the winner when Sultan D Or dug in and came back at the wire to win by a nose. Aworthy Bi (Daniel Laflamme) was third.
A late blooming 10-year-old gelded son of Newtown, Sultan D Or is owned and trained by Pierre Turcotte of Trois-Rivieres, Que. He paid $5.40 to win as the wagering favourite.
The time of the race was 2:01.1, a lifetime mark for Sultan D Or.
In the eighth race Preferred Handicapped Trot, Kinnder Dangerous and driver Justin Filion barley held off a late-charging Missionoftheheart (Stephane Gendron) to win by a nose in 1:58.4. Jamigo (Daniel Laflamme) was third.
It was the first start of the season for the five-year-old gelding by Northern Escort, who was bred, owned and trained by Denitza Petrova of Melbourne, Que. The 8-1 longshot paid $19.80 to win.
Track Notes: Horsewoman Marie Claude Auger of Trois-Riveres led all drivers and trainers in wins Friday night. She scored a driving triple and had a training double.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
Quebec Champion Racing Sunday
Three-time Quebec-Bred Series champion Atomic Million AM returns to the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday afternoon to headline the sixth race Preferred Pace.
Now age eight, Atomic Million AM is a homebred star for owner/trainer/breeder Alain Martin of Gatineau, Que. The $289,000 career winner by Million Dollar Cam has a lifetime mark of 1:53.2. He starts from post six for driver Marie Claude Auger and is the morning line favorite.
It will not be an easy mile for Atomic Million AM as he faces a formidable foe in Outlaw Turn N Burn, who has won the Preferred Pace the last two weeks for trainer Francis Richard.
Last week, Outlaw Turn N Burn gave racing fans a classic race to the finish, edging rival Surf Report by a head in 1:55, the fastest mile of the race meet. Outlaw Turn N Burn starts from post five and Surf Report alongside him in post four.
Post time Sunday is 1 p.m. For a free race program, visit quebecjockeyclub.com.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)