This Sunday, the 108th edition of Le 5 Milles – a five-mile, 10-lap harness racing tradition in the province of Quebec – will take place at the Hippodrome de la Vallee in Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs.
It is Quebec’s oldest horse race, with Major B.O. capturing the first four editions from 1910-1913. In the 1940s and 1950s, there were as many as four five-mile events each year in Quebec City, usually contested by the same horses.
After a hiatus in 2012, the race is back at Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs, Quebec as part of the Quebec Regional Fair Circuit.
There will be races both Saturday and Sunday at Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs.
Le 5 Milles takes place on Sunday when a field of eight pacers (no trotters this year) will compete in the $10,000 Casino-Charlevoix-sponsored event.
The track record is 10:59.3 set by Sea Donkey (Stephane Gendron) in 2015 and the world record is 10:54.1 set by Life Thrills (Gabriel Boily) at Hippodrome de Quebec on August 26, 2001 – both in this same event.
Sunday's big race has Clever Thing as the 5-2 favourite, with Montana Ben and defending champion Niceandup as the closest rivals.
The Sunday card also has an Invitational Handicap on both gaits. The trot is headlined by Quebec champion Holiday Party, who will start from the outside post six. The top pacer is Rainbow Palace as the favourite facing many other familiar names including SOS Mach Extreme, the regional circuit's fastest-ever performer (1:53 at Bedford in 2016).
Saturday’s card has new track record-holder Washington Hanover (1:56.4) in the last of nine races.
To view Sunday's complete harness racing entries, click on the following link: Sunday Entries - Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)