It has been said in harness racing that a young trotter is better off building up stamina, strength and be sure of foot, and that the speed will soon follow.
That analogy will again be put to the test at the Hippodrome 3R on Tuesday evening with the second round of the $220,000 Future Stars Series for two-year-old trotting colts and fillies.
In the opening round of the series last week, the old proverb came true for 76-year-old owner and driver Rosaire Renaud as his newest star of the stable, Y A Muscle Mass, beat eight rivals and will try it again on Tuesday.
Last week Y A Muscle Mass and Renaud went right to the lead and never looked back, winning by three-quarters of a length in a slow time of 2:09.4 over a fast track.
But there is no prize money for speed, only for those that stays on gait and cross the finish line first. That’s what Y A Muscle Mass did last week.
The son of Muscle Mass goes from the rail on Tuesday for trainer Manon Renaud and provided his minds his manners and stays on stride, can win again.
His rivals have good speed but were unable to stay on-stride last week and are back to try again. Nobodynosjustice (Stephane Brosseau) was the favourite last week and won already this season in 2:02.2. But he failed to stay trotting at the start last week and was up the track. Nobodynosjustice goes from post six.
Yankee Photo starts from post five and last week he did stay on gait, but was sent first-over by driver Pascal Berube against Y A Muscle Mass and could not get to him and was third. SG Goliath King goes from post three and last week was a game second to Y A Muscle Mass.
The fillies drew ten entries and according to the rules of the Quebec Racing Commission, must split into two fields of five that will be held as non-wagering races during the Tuesday program.
The first division takes place after the third race and is headed by Luckys Dream (post four) and Stand For Justice (post one).
The second division goes after the fifth race and features last week’s return winner, Precieuse CC, who starts from post five.
Last week this daughter of Angus Hall was able to lead from post eight for driver/trainer Claude Beausoleil, take a tuck in third place and then brush to the lead in the backstretch, going on to win by two open lengths in 2:06, the last quarter in a very impressive :29.4.
Also in the race is Yves Filion’s Magic Lady, who starts from post two. She was the betting favourite last week, followed Precieuse CC in the backstretch, but could not catch her, finishing second.
There is another competitive field set for the Invitational Trot Tuesday in the ninth race.
Four Starz Speed (post 4) returns off his wire-to-wire victory for trainer/driver Kevin Maguire. Also back is Unabating, who was the race favourite last week, but suffered broken equipment and was never in the hunt.
Caroluzzo returns after a week’s rest, but drew post eight for driver Stephane Gendron. Rideau Carlton invader, Ghirardelli Lindy, brings his two-race win streak to H3R, as does Dance Hall George (post one), who is moving up the ranks to the top trot.
Post time Tuesday is 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit quebecjockeyclub.com.
(Quebec Jockey Club)