Stephane Gendron got off to a superb start on opening day (Sunday, May 5) at the Hippodrome 3R, as he won five races, including a victory in the co-featured Preferred Pace.
It was a picture-perfect afternoon for racing with sunny skies and a large crowd came out to the track for opening day.
A shot of the crowd during Hippodrome 3R’s opening day.
Gendron started off the day on a winning note, as he captured Race 1 with Gutsy Greg ($9.10) in 1:57.3. He scored again in Race 4 with SG Goliath King ($13.10) in 2:00.2.
In the Preferred Pace (Race 8), Gendron and Mister Big Top made their move from third at the three quarters and tipped three-wide as they raced around the final turn. Gendron was able to urge Mister Big Top through the stretch, and the duo went on to win by one length over Chaleurs Ad in 1:57.3. Bali (who was driven by Dany Mainguy) finished third.
Mister Big Top’s victory was his second win from eight starts this year. The seven-year-old gelded son of Mister Big is trained by Yves Tessier and owned by Francis Morin of Beauceville, QC. Mister Big Top paid $8.00 to win.
Mister Big Top, pictured victorious with driver Stephanie Gendron on opening day at H3R.
Gendron would go on to cap the late daily double, as he won Race 9 with Bettor Now ($2.90) in 2:00.1 and captured Race 10 with My Lucky Bluejeans ($14.20) in 2:00.1.
In the Preferred Trot (Race 2), Jamigo ($41.50) and driver Daniel Laflamme took advantage of costly breaks by the two wagering favourites and came home a big winner in 2:00.2 while racing at odds of 19-1. Jamigo was making his first pari-mutuel start of the season on Sunday. The 11-year-old Angus Hall gelding is trained and owned by Manon Lamothe of Terrebonne, QC. Jamigo’s $41.50 return was the highest win payoff of the afternoon.
Jamigo and driver Daniel Laflamme, pictured winning the Preferred Trot at H3R.
TRACK NOTES: While Gendron led all drivers with five wins, no other driver or trainer tallied more than one win during the ten-race card. Favourites only won two of the Sunday races. Gendron swept the last three races on the program to record his personal five-bagger.
Live racing at H3R will resume next Sunday. For more information, visit quebecjockeyclub.com.
To view the harness racing results for Sunday at H3R, click the following link: Sunday Results – Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from the Quebec Jockey Club)