Only For Justice began his quest to defend his title in the Quebec-Bred Series for older trotters with an easy victory in the $8,500 opening leg on Friday, June 21 at Hippodrome 3R.
Coming into the series off a dominant 1:58.2 victory facing Preferred trotters last week, the Linda Belanger-trained Only For Justice and driver Francis Picard delivered on a 1-5 pari-mutuel promise with a three-length victory in 1:59 flat.
Orlys Pride (Robert Shepherd) shot out to a big lead early with Thats Hooligan (Marie-Claude Auger) breaking stride as he tried to close the gap from the pocket through a :30.1 opening quarter. A rough-gaited Frido PV (Pascal Berube) tried to reel in the leader next and got to his saddlepad before tucking back down the pylons as Orlys Pride forged ahead in the turn and on to the half in :59.4. However, his reign came to an end when Picard made his move with Only From Justice with a lap to go.
Stalking from third, Only For Justice advanced alongside the tempo-setter through the third panel to take a neck advantage by three-quarters in 1:29.2 before clearing to command into the final turn and drawing off through the stretch. The popular trotter returned $2.70 to win. Orlys Pride settled for second and Frido PV was third.
Injured last July, the eight-year-old Justice Hall-Intense America gelding continued his comeback campaign with his second straight victory from four starts. He now has 22 career wins and earnings topping $570,000 for owner/breeder Ecurie Gaetan Bono Inc.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(Standardbred Canada)