The Quebec Jockey Club announced today that starting on Sunday (July 4), the Hippodrome 3R will be allowed to increase harness racing spectators by 250 people.
H3R will now have 250 race fans allowed in the outdoor section of the track and can have an additional 250 spectators in the Clubhouse/Grandstand indoor section.
On the racetrack Friday, Mickeymaksomespeed was the public choice overwhelming 1-5 favourite in the sixth race Preferred Pace and he did not disappoint his fans.
With the field reduced by two late scratches to just six horses, driver Samuel Fillion was able to send Mickeymaksomespeed right to the lead and then stuffed Farmers Tan (Francis Picard) into the two-hole by the opening quarter mile in :27.2.
From there it was a walk in the park for Mickeymaksomespeed as he strolled through the half in :57.4 and three-quarters in 1:27.3 before coasting to the wire to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:57. Somewhere Bettor (Jocelyn Gendron) was second with Farmers Tan third.
It was the third win on the year for Mikeymaksomespeed, a four-year-old stallion by Mickey Hanover. He was bred and is owned and trained by Michel Allard of Saint-Esprit.
Mickeymaksomespeed paid $2.40 to win and will return on Sunday at H3R to compete in another Preferred-Handicap Pace.
Both Samuel Fillion and Stephane Gendron each scored driving triples on Friday. Gendron is now just one win behind race meet leader Pascal Berube, 23 to 22 wins.
Live harness racing resumes Sunday afternoon at H3R. First race post time is 12:30 pm. For a free race program, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.
(Quebec Jockey Club)