The opening round of the Quebec-Bred Series for older trotters takes place at Hippodrome 3R on Friday, June 16 with two $6,500 divisions.
Due to a shortage of mares entered in the first round, the mares will race against the older horses, but got to draw for the inside post positions.
The first division is the fourth race on the card and features Woodbine Mohawk Park invader Only For Justice (sired by Justice Hill), who will start from post six with driver Robert Shepherd. The seven-year-old gelding will be making his first start of the 2023 season with Linda Belanger taking over the training. Last year, he won five times -- the fastest a 1:54.1 triumph. He is owned by breeder Ecurie Gaetan Bono Inc.
One of the two mares in the field is former Quebec champion Stella Alpha (sired by Royalty For Life) from post two with driver Pascal Berube. Sylvain Tremblay trains and his Ecurie Alpha owns the four-year-old mare, who is affectionately known as the "Princess Of Trot at H3R" and was an 11-race winner last year. In her last start at 3R, Stella Alpha went first-up against older horses and hung on to win by a nose in 1:59.2.
Also in the race is last year’s three-year-old Quebec champion, Royalty Beer, who will start from post three for trainer/driver Kevin Maguire. The Royalty For Life gelding is shipping back to 3R after racing this season at Woodbine Mohawk Park, where he took a lifetime mark three starts back in 1:54. He is owned by breeder Ecuries Maguire Inc., and Jean-Francois Maguire.
The eighth race is the second division and has a classic match-up between four return winners, Capteur De Reve (sired by Muscle Mass), Frido PV (sired by Muscle Mass), Orlys Shadow (sired by Lindys Tru Grit) and CM Savewill GL (sired by Muscle Mass).
Capteur De Reve is a four-time Quebec champion and will go from post four with driver Stephane Brosseau. He is currently undefeated in two starts this year for trainer Maxime Velaye and owner/breeder Ecurie Provoquante.
Frido PV has won three of his four starts this year, scoring last week in 1:59 by four lengths and will be driven again by Jonathan Lachance from post five for trainer Yves St Jacques and owner/breeder Marcel Bouillard.
Orlys Shadow was winless last year making only four starts before being away for nearly a year. He has returned in form, winning his first start back last week for trainer Paulo Jutras, wiring the field in 2:01.2 with a last quarter in :29.1 for his maiden victory. Jocelyn Gendron will picked up the catch-drive from post seven aboard the trotter owned by Orlando Stables Inc.
CM Savewill GL shipped in from Flamboro Downs last week and scored in 2:01 for trainer Marc-Andre Simoneau. Pascal Berube will drive the post three starter for owners Francois Dupuis, Richard Kelly and Ronald Kelly.
Completing the field are former Quebec champion Seeyou Men (post six), Sammy Justice (post eight) and the two mares in the race, X O X O (post one) and Lune Duharas (post two).
First race post time for Friday’s twilight race card is 4 p.m. On Sunday, 3R will host three divisions of the second round of the Quebec-Bred Series for older horses -- one for the mares and two for the horses.
For a free race program, visit hippodrome3r.ca.
To view Friday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Friday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)