One of the closest finishes in the history of Hippodrome 3R in Quebec took place on Sunday, May 7 in the seventh race as six pacers crossed the finish line together.
Mach Play emerged a nose winner for owner and driver Joel Gagnon in 2:01 at odds of 11-1 and paid $24.90 to win. It was the seven-year-old Shadow Play gelding's first start of the 2023 season for trainer Nancy Auger.
The photo finish camera was put to work for the race as sixth-place finisher Southwind Leo (Mario Lachance) was only a quarter of a length off of the winner. Flashjack Soleil (Simon Delisle) was the runner-up with Eataams Sportsbaby (Denis Audet), favourite Alberta Alpha (Pascal Berube) and Payback (Jessica Turenne) also in the mix.
The fastest mile on the afternoon card of harness racing was the $5,000 ninth race Preferred Pace as Ontario invader Little Manny and driver Pascal Berube led most of the way to a 1:55.3 victory.
Starting from post three, Little Manny took the early lead away from Old Buck (Francis Picard) past the :28 opening quarter mark. From that point, Little Manny held the field at bay, leading to the half in :57.2 and the three-quarters in 1:26.2 as 18-1 Platine Alpha (Jimmy Gagnon) came first-over in vain. By the top of the stretch, Little Manny opened up on the field, coasting to the wire a 4-1/2-length winner. Platine Alpha held for second with Mickeymaksomespeed (Jocelyn Gendron) third.
The win was the second straight and fifth in 13 starts this season for Little Manny. The six-year-old Articulator gelding is trained by Yves Tessier for owners Michel Letarte and Jean Allaire. He paid just $2.50 to win.
Berube teamed with Tessier as the only two-time winners on the card.
Stephane Gagnon celebrated his first training win when his six-year-old pacer, Moonlightboy, converted off a pocket trip to defeat pacesetter Yankee Up (Pascal Berube) in the sixth race by two lengths in 1:59.1 with Jimmy Gagnon driving. The Terrebonne, Que. horseman has recorded 11 other top three finishes from 38 starts.
The track record for handle on a 10-race program was set with $257,892 wagered on the afternoon. The overall record is $267,818 set in 2022 for a 12-race card.
Live harness racing resumes at 3R next Sunday, May 14, with first race post time at 12 noon.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)