Parked out first-over from the start of the race, National Debt seemingly toyed with the field in capturing the $7,000 Preferred 1 & 2 Handicap Pace at Hippodrome 3R on Sunday, July 10.
Spectrum Seelster (Francis Picard), who always does his best racing on the front end, went right to the lead at the start of the ninth race co-feature. Mickeymaksomespeed (Kiwon Waldron) followed in the pocket with National Debt and driver Pascal Berube floating on the outside.
Past the opening quarter-mile in an easy :28 seconds, Spectrum Seelster and Picard led the way as Berube took his time moving National Debt first-over, getting to the leader at the half-mile in a quick :56.4 as the tempo of the race picked up.
Down the backstretch, Histoire Enchantee (Simon Delisle) was enjoying a great second-over trip as National Debt sat outside of pacesetter Spectrum Seelster past the three-quarters in 1:25.1.
Picard began urging Spectrum Seelster to try and get some clearance on the turn but it was to no avail as Berube lifted the line to National Debt in the stretch and they pulled away for a 1-3/4-length triumph in 1:54.1. Spectrum Seelster was second with Mickeymaksomespeed third.
The win was National Debt's third in his last four starts. It marked the seventh triumph of the season and 87th lifetime for the 11-year-old stallion by Allamerican Native. He is trained by Yves Tessier for owner Francois Morin of Beauceville, Que. Off as the 1-5 favourite, he paid $2.30 to win.
Sunday was another big day for 3R's leading driver as Berube also teamed up with Tessier to take the $5,500 Preferred 3 Pace aboard BS Tyrrific ($6.50), prevailing by a neck in 1:57.1, and ended the afternoon card with a total of four wins.
The $7,000 Preferred 1 & 2 Handicap Mares Pace saw even-money favourite La Petite Grise change tactics with Berube and did not leave from the starting gate. In fact, she got away last at the start.
It was Little T and driver Stephane Brosseau who went right to the lead with ease followed by Outrageous Song (Robert Shepherd) in the pocket seat. They paced to the opening quarter in :27.3.
Berube then started to move La Petite Grise first-over from last place and was able to flush out Sophies Cam and driver Francis Picard. Little T was still comfortable on the lead going past the half-mile in :57.4.
In the backstretch, it looked as if Sophies Cam was stalled first-over and Berube quickly moved La Petite Grise three-wide, but failed to be able to clear at the three-quarters in 1:27.4. Meanwhile, Little T and Brosseau were still in command on the final turn as both Sophies Cam and La Petite Grise were gaining ground for the stretch battle.
Little T still had something left in the tank and was able to hold on to her lead, winning by only a quarter of a length over Sophies Cam with Outrageous Song third and La Petite Grise fourth. The time of the mile was 1:57.1
For Little T, a four-year-old mare by Allamerican Native, the win was her fifth of the year for owner/trainer Jean-Francois Reid of Anjou, Que. She paid $11.90 to win.
The first race for two-year-olds at 3R this season took place Sunday in the third race with two colts and seven filly pacers showed their early talents.
It was Godiva Shadow Gal with driver Robert Shepherd first on the lead with race favourite River Sena going off-stride on the first turn.
Past the first quarter in :29.3, Albert Alpha (Berube) came first-over and took command with Vent Du Sud (Picard) first-over as they went by the half-mile in 1:00.
The field then spread out in the backstretch with Albert Alpha enjoying a comfortable lead past the three-quarters in a mile 1:32. Then on the final turn Shepherd came after the leader with Godiva Shadow Girl. Those two then battled down the stretch with Godiva Shadow Girl coming on for the win by a quarter-length over Albert Alpha in 2:02.4. Got Beach Body (Jonathan Lachance) was third.
A two-year-old filly by Shadow Play from the Bolero Master mare Godiva Beachgirl, Godiva Shadow Girl paid $13.30 in her first career pari-mutuel start. She is trained by Lyne Asselin for owner/breeder Raymond Larose of St-Henri-De-Levis, Que.
Track Notes: In addition to Berube's four wins, Brosseau had a driving triple while both Yannick Marquis and Tessier had training doubles. The 2022 Quebec Sire Stakes gets underway next Friday, July 15 with the opening round of the Breeders Trophy Series for three-year-old colt and filly trotters. First race post time is 4 p.m.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)