Atomic Million AM became the fastest pacer in Quebec this season while scoring his fourth consecutive win at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday (July 7).
Competing in one of three divisions of the Quebec-Bred Series for older horse pacers, Atomic Million AM was sent off as the betting favourite in Race 2 for driver Guy Gagnon.
Starting from Post 5, Gagnon shot Atomic Million AM right to the early lead with Kinnder Jackson (Jocelyn Gendron) sitting right on their backs through the opening quarter mile in :26.3 and past the half mile marker in :56.2. Then the action began to heat up as Gendron pulled the pock with Kinnder Jackson and came after Gagnon and Atomic Million AM. Down the backstretch those two raced neck and neck past the three quarters in 1:25.1 and continued stride for stride to the top of the stretch. It was then that Atomic Million AM showed his back class and dug in down the stretch, pulling away for a one and one-quarter length triumph in 1:54.1. Kinnder Jackson held for second place with C L Art Magic (Daniel Laflamme) third. Atomic Million AM is an eight-year-old gelded son of Million Dollar Cam. The victory was his fourth win in six starts this year for breeder, owner and trainer Alain Martin of Gatineau. He paid $3.60 to win.
The third race was the first of two division of the Quebec-Bred Series for older pacing mares, and former champion YS Tallia ($2.10) proved to be much the best once again. The five-year-old mare by Western Ideal, driven by Tyler Jones, was an easy winner. She led from start to finish in a romp by six open lengths in 1:55.3. Vee Breeze (Jonathan Lachance) was second with Lune Bleu (Stephane Gendron) third. The victory was the third consecutive win and fourth of the season for YS Tallia, who is trained by Michel Allard for owner-breeder Yves Sarrazin of La Presentation.
Lit De Rose ($3.90) could not be bested on the front end while capturing the second division (Race 6) for older mares. Driven by Stephane Gendron, Lit De Rose wired the field by one and one-half lengths in 1:56.2. The pocket-sitting Sharkes Summrshandy (Pascal Berube) was second with Miss Rockadali (Guy Gagnon) third. The victory was the second win in four starts for Lit De Rose. The four-year-old mare by Leader Bayama is trained by Maxime Velaye for owner-breeder Guy Corbeil of Mirabel.
Track Notes: Now tied with trotter Sultan D Or for most wins this season at H3R, Atomic Million AM will now headline the $30,000 finals of the Quebec-Bred Series at the Hippodrome 3R this coming Sunday (July 14). A three-time series champion, Atomic Million AM could become the first horse ever to win four series finals. Driver Jocelyn Gendron led all on Sunday with a driving double. Live racing will resume on Friday at the Hippodrome 3R, first race post time will be at 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit quebecjockeyclub.com.
For more recaps from H3R’s Sunday program, click here.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from the Quebec Jockey Club)