She has raced 10 times so far in 2022 and each of those starts have been against older horses and mares and yet she continues to win.
Nicknamed the “Princess of Trot” at Hippodrome 3R, Stella Alpha once again takes on older competition on Friday in the $6,000 Preferred 2 & 3 Handicap Trot.
The three-year-old filly by Royalty For Life was the Quebec Bred champion at age two. She was bred and is owned by Ecurie Alpha of Metabetchouan, Que., which is run by Stella Alpha’s trainer, Sylvain Tremblay.
Every week when Stella Alpha races, it’s 3R leading dash-winning driver, Pascal Berube, who sits behind the bay filly and guides her during each outing.
And so far, Berube has done well with Stella Alpha. She sports five wins this year -- four of them at 3R.
'“Stella' was already doing very well at two years old,” said Berube. “But I think her desire to win is even stronger at three years old.
“I think that having to make her race with [older] horses could perhaps make her better mentally because she has had to learn to be stronger and more courageous," he added.
For the sixth race feature on Friday, Stella Alpha has been handicapped to the far outside post eight. Will that affect her performance this week? Last week, she overcame racing in a driving rainstorm to win in a romp by more than three lengths in 2:00.2.
“For this week's start, it will be like all the other starts in recent weeks,” said Berube. “We don't refuse anything but we don't ask her to make an effort that she is not able to achieve. We let her do her job as she likes to do and we take what she gives us.
“She is a mare who likes to race ahead of the field,” he Berube. “But she also likes to pass them too. I think she is just good any way that I drive her.”
Facing Stella Alpha in the feature trot will be Hall Win, another Quebec Bred champion last year at age three. He starts from post five for driver Kevin Maguire. Other contenders include Muscles Forever (post three) and another mare in the field, nine-year-old Eau Naturelle (post two).
Post time on Friday is 4 p.m. Starting next week, 3R post time for Fridays will switch to 8 p.m. and the horses will be racing under the lights.
To view Friday's harness racing entries, click on the following link: Friday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)