Lagerfeld, who had shared the 1:58.2 fastest winning trot time of the year at Hippodrome 3R with See You Men, claimed that distinction outright on Friday evening at the Trois Rivieres oval, closing to a 1:58 victory in the $5,000 Preferred trotting feature.
Trainer/driver Raymond Gingras, who shares ownership in the winning son of Yankee Glide with John and Jim Fielding and Herb Liverman, had Lagerfeld racing behind cover until the far turn, where he moved up sharply to contend with pacesetter Missionoftheheart. Lagerfeld proved the best in the latter stages, defeating the frontrunner by 1-3/4 lengths while raising his lifetime bankroll to $744,614.
The $4,000 co-featured trot went to the Muscle Mass mare Massmade, with the heavy favourite seizing command at the three-quarter pole and remaining in control to the wire in 2:00.1. A winner in this class here on June 9, Massmade looks headed towards the highest level of local trotting stock after the victory for driver Pascal Berube, who guided three winners on the night, trainer Yves Tessier, and owner Francois Morin.
In a $4,000 Preferred event for pacing mares, Wild River Swan also had to travel the difficult first-over route, yet she still was able to hold off strong late rusher Uptown Woman by a half length in posting a 1:57.2 triumph. Jocelyn Gendron drove the daughter of Sportswriter for trainer Francis Richard and owner Dr. John Bradbury, and the victory should keep the winner tight for upcoming Quebec Plus Series battles with divisional leader YS Tallia and other major contenders.
The sharp racing fans were dialed in on Friday night at 3R – second choice Broncos Sena won the first race and paid $5.90, and then the last nine races were all won by the public choice.
On Sunday the featured $6,000 Preferred pace gathers together six tough customers, five of which have already won in 1:56 or better at 3R this year, and YS Tallia’s 1:54.2 seasonal fastest clocking could be in jeopardy given good weather.
(Quebec Jockey Club)
To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results – Hippodrome 3R.