The Breeders Trophy Series enters its second round of competition at Hippodrome 3R on Friday (July 29) with two $10,000 divisions for the three-year-old colts and fillies.
The colts are first on the track in the fourth race where the Jean-Francois Maguire’s entry of Royalty Beer and Cleveland Massimo are the standouts in the field.
Cleveland Massimo drew post six for driver Robert Shepherd as he shoots for his third straight win. In the first leg of the series, he closed to win by a head in 2:01 and then last week, he scored against older horses in a 4-3/4-length romp in a lifetime best 2:00.4.
Royalty Beer goes from post three for driver Kevin Maguire after finishing third last week against older rivals, individually timed in 2:00.2.
Starting from the inside is Kenogami Rebel for driver Stephane Brosseau. They finished second by a head in the opening round of the series and, prior to that, had won at Rideau Carleton Raceway in 1:58.
The fillies are in the spotlight in the eighth race where the “Princess of Trot” at 3R, Stella Alpha will most likely be the heavy favourite.
Stella Alpha drew the inside post for driver Pascal Berube as she goes after her eighth win of the season -- six of those wins have been at 3R. In her last start, the Sylvain Tremblay trainee faced older foes and was third, individually timed in 1:59.3, which ended a three-race winning streak.
Hoping to give the “Princess of Trot” a go is newcomer Cleveland Moneyka in post five for driver Stephane Brosseau. The Ontario shipper has been racing with some success at Georgian Downs and shows a mark of 1:59.2.
HP Felicity in post four is also a contender for Shepherd. She broke in her last start in the series but, prior to that, had wired the field in a lifetime best 1:59.
First race post time on Friday is 4 p.m.
To view Friday's harness racing entries, click on the following link: Friday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)