Hippodrome 3R held two $10,000 opening-round divisions of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old trotters on Tuesday evening (July 24), and Cesar Duharas emerged as a very impressive winner.
Before the first race, management of Hippodrome 3R and the Québec Jockey Club paid tribute to Mario Lachance, who passed away tragically on Saturday. Most every horseperson came out of the paddock for the special ceremony at the winner’s circle.
In the colt division of the Future Stars (race three), Cesar Duharas ($2.20) and trainer-driver Stuart Sowerby went right to the lead from post 6, and that was it. Mister Sky (Francis Picard) grabbed the two-hole spot, but once past the opening quarter mile, Cesar Duharas held the field at bay. The son of Muscle Massive then toyed with the field, leading by three lengths at three-quarters and then opening up on the field, winning by 16 1/4 lengths in 2:04.1.
SOS Turbo (Stephane Brosseau) was elevated to second, as unofficial runner-up Mister Sky was disqualified to third for breaking in the stretch.
It was the second straight win for Cesar Duharas, who was bred and is owned by Haras De L Estrie, Inc. of Dunham. In his prior start, Cesar Duharas won an overnight at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:59.4.
In the filly division of the Future Stars, My Lady Hall and driver Jocelyn Gendron shot out to the early lead with The Only Somolie (Jerome Lombart) grabbing the two-hole spot. They raced that way until the backstretch when Kinderunbelievable and driver Justin Filion rushed up on the outside from third and cleared to the lead.
At the top of the stretch, Kinderunbelievable went off stride and My Lady Hall had a clear path to the finish line, winning by 3-1/2 lengths in 2:06. Stablemate Claudi P V (Pascal Berube) closed for second place with Kinderunbelievable third.
It was the second straight win for My Lady Hall. This daughter of Angus Hall is trained by Serge Nadeau, who co-owns the filly with breeder Marcel Brouillard of St-Marcel-De-Richelieu.
As only four fillies entered the opening round, the race was held as a non-wagering event.
In the Invitational Trot (race seven), Holiday Party ($7.70) and Pascal Berube led from start to finish in 1:59.1. It was the third win this season for the five-year-old Holiday Road gelding trained by Isabelle Binet.
Coming up Sunday at H3R (July 29) is the second round of the Breeders Cup Series for three-year-old pacing colts and fillies. First race post time is 12:50 p.m.
For more information or a free race program, visit www.quebecjockeyclub.com.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Hippodrome 3R.
(Québec Jockey Club)