Trainer/owner Peter Lepage had done an exceptional job in preparing Thats Hooligan for the start of the racing season at Hippodrome 3R as the trotter has now won three straight races.
The Friday, June 7 card was the first Friday twilight card of the season at 3R with post time at 4 p.m.
Starting from post seven in the $5,000 fifth race with Preferred trotters, Thats Hooligan and regular driver Marie-Claude Auger floated off of the starting gate on the outside in sixth place as 26-1 Muscles Forever (Sylvain Fontaine) shot to the early lead with Miles Of Muscle (Robert Shepherd) getting the two-hole trip. They went by the opening quarter in :30.1.
Muscles Forever led the field to the half-mile in a pedestrian 1:01.1 as Thats Hooligan methodically started marching first-over with Frido PV (Pascal Berube) second-over.
Down the backstretch, Thats Hooligan continued to wear down Muscles Forever and cleared to the lead past three-quarters in 1:31.2. Thats Hooligan started to open up some daylight as they field raced down the stretch, breezing to a 2-1/2-length triumph in 2:00.4. Only For Justice (Francis Picard) closed from seventh place on the final turn to finish second over Muscles Forever.
Undefeated in three starts this year, Thats Hooligan, an eight-year-old Rose Run Hooligan gelding, was overlooked in the wagering and went off at odds of 6-1, paying $14 to win. He now has nine career wins and nearly $40,000 in purse earnings.
Driver William Roy swept the early Daily Double on Friday, winning the first race pace with 21-1 Aphro Star ($45.30) in 1:57.1 and then the second race trot with 5-1 Drinklikehenry ($12.50) in 2:01.4. The $2 Daily Double paid $655.10.
Aphro Star was 21-year-old trainer Emma Bouchard's first starter, marking a victorious milestone moment for the Metabetchouan, Que. horsewoman, who was previously named Caretaker of the Year in Quebec for the 2021 season while working for Sylvain Tremblay.
Driver Mathys Lapointe also made a winning debut on Friday. The 19-year-old La Malbaie, Que. reinsman guided Quebec newcomer Joltin Joe ($8.90) to a 1:58.2 victory in the $3,700 eighth race amateur pace for trainer Marc-Andrew Simoneau. It was the first time in many years that 3R held a race just for amateur drivers, who donate their driving earnings to charity.
Live harness racing resumes at 3R on Sunday with first race post time at 12 noon. The 10th race with Preferred pacers will be the feature in which May 26 winner, Kiss Me Bad, will start from post four against Woodbine Mohawk Park invader Thong Control (post one) and return winners Doc Houston (post five) and Twizzler GT (post seven).
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)