If the trouncing Light The Torch gave his rivals last week at Hippodrome 3R was any indication of how good this horse is, then they better watch out this Sunday.
Light The Torch is the overwhelming race favourite once again in the $6,500 Preferred-Handicap Pace on Sunday, June 23, carded as the sixth race. He will start from post five for driver Pascal Berube and trainer and co-owner Marc-Andre Simoneau (with Jean Fontaine).
Last week at 3R, Light The Torch and Berube teamed up to lead from start to finish by two lengths in 1:54.2. That was the fastest mile by any horse so far this season at 3R by more than one second (five lengths). It was his fifth win of the season.
“The horse race well last week,” driver Pascal Berube explained. “He never makes wasted effort. Always great results but it’s a horse that doesn’t yet know how to do its job. He races well in every way, which is why he will become more and more a good horse. He doesn't make any unnecessary effort for me.”
Later this season, Light The Torch is one of 18 four-year-old pacers that are eligible to come back at 3R on Aug. 18 to compete in the $200,000 Prix d’Ete, the signature race at the track.
Hoping to tie a rope behind Light The Torch is Doc Houston and driver Jessica Turenne. Moving up the class ladder after scoring a 1:56.4 victory last week, Doc Houston has post four.
A newcomer to Quebec is Flash Cube from post three. He will be driven by Jocelyn Gendron for trainer Guy Gagnon and ships into 3R off a 1:53.2 triumph at Rideau Carleton Raceway in his last start. The six-year-old gelding shows he can race and win from on or off the pace.
The fourth return winner in the field is Bettor Half, starting from post one for driver Denis St. Pierre, who also trains and owns the six-year-old gelding. He is also moving up in class after winning last week at 3R in 1:57.2 after being parked first-over for the entire mile.
Rounding out the field is the only non-return winner, Frozen Hanover (post two), who last week was a game second, timed in 1:55.4 in his first start back this year.
The Quebec-Bred Series for older pacers kicks off in the eighth race with a $8,500 purse on the line. The Light Speed will seek to avenge his neck loss last week in Preferred action at Rideau Carleton as he takes on rival Aladdin.
The Light Speed is trained by Guy Gagnon and starts from post seven in the nine-horse field. He already sports an impressive seven wins this year for owner-breeder Michel Nollette of Princeville, Que.
Aladdin, the morning line favourite, is saddled with starting from the far outside in post eight for driver Stephane Brosseau. Last week he came on late in the mile to nip pacesetter The Light Speed at the wire in 1:52.1 at Rideau. It was Aladdin’s first win of the year.
Another contender is the top mare, Kiss Me Bad for owner-driver Steven Gagnon. She starts from post five and won two of her last three starts against the best at 3R.
First race post time on Sunday is 12 noon for the nine-race card. For free race programs, visit hippodrome3r.ca. To view Sunday's entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(with files from Quebec Jockey Club)