Thrill Chaser most certainly lived up to her name Tuesday evening at the Hippodrome 3R as the ably named filly gave harness racing fans a real thrill with her dramatic finish in the ninth race.
Racing over a sloppy, rain-soaked track, the action started off with R L Play Boy (Mario Charron) going to the early lead with World News (Pascal Berube) leaving from post seven and getting the two-hole trip to the opening quarter mile in :30.1.
Then it was time for the 8/5 race favourite, Iron Phil, and driver Louis Philippe Roy coming first-over and taking command by the half mile maker in 1:02.
It was then that owner/trainer/driver Marie Claude Auger started up first-over with Thrill Chaser, who was one of only three females racing against six male rivals. As they raced down the backstretch, Auger rated Thrill Chaser and she worked her way up to the race leaders by the three-quarters in 1:34.3.
On the final turn, Thrill Chaser kept grinding it out on the outside against Iron Phil and collared him as they started down the stretch. Then the two horses, despite the inclement weather, locked horns, going neck and neck to the finish with Thrill Chaser winning by a head in 2:04 over Iron Phil with R L Play Boy, who had snuck up the passing lane, a close third.
It was the first win in four starts this year for Thrill Chaser. The daughter of Rambaran is co-owned by Auger with Gaston Bibeau of Quebec and paid $7.40 to win.
Live racing resumes at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday with first-race post time at 1 p.m.
(Quebec Jockey Club)
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Hippodrome 3R.