Both Emotions Riches and X O X O scored lifetime marks in capturing their respective $8,000 divisions of the Breeders Trophy Series for three-year-old trotters at the Hippodrome 3R Friday afternoon (August 20).
This was the third and final preliminary round of the series. Now the eight top point-earners in the series will return for their respective $65,000 finals at H3R on Sunday, Sept. 12.
In the second race, first division of the series for the colts and geldings, Emotions Riches was the 3-5 wagering favourite over Hall Win, who had beaten his rival in four previous meetings.
But no one told that to Emotions Riches.
The gelded son of Wheeling N Dealin was at his best for driver Stephane Gendron, leaving from post three and taking early command of the race with Aoki (Jocelyn Gendron) grabbing the two-hole spot to the opening quarter-mile in :29. Hall Win (Kevin Maguire) got away in third place.
They raced single-file past the half-mile marker in :59.3 and once in the backstretch, Maguire made his move first-over with Hall Win but the colt failed to fire and could not catch up to Emotions Riches, who started to extend his lead past the three-quarters in 1:30.2.
Coming down the stretch, Gendron let Emotions Riches have his head and the trotter went on to win by five open lengths in 1:59.2. Aoki was second with Hall Win a distant third.
The time of the mile was a lifetime mark for Emotions Riches, who recorded his second straight win and fourth triumph of the season from 10 starts for trainer Maxime Velaye and the Provoquante Stable of Mirabel, Que. He paid $3.30 to win.
The sixth race filly division belonged to X O X O and driver Jerome Lombart as they were able to lead from start to finish.
Taking command of the race from the start, X O X O led by five lengths at the first quarter in :28.3 with rival Mag N Lady (Jean Francois Maguire) sitting in the pocket seat. X O X O continued to hold the field at bay as they reached the half in :58.4.
In the backstretch, Mag N Lady came first-over to no avail and dropped right back into the pocket as they came to the three-quarters in 1:29.
X O X O trotted away from the field in the stretch for a five-length triumph in 2:00. Elegance Duharas (Denis Gueriel) finished second with Mag N Lady third.
Lowering her lifetime mark, X O X O earned her third victory in the series and seventh win of the season from 12 starts, all at H3R. The homebred daughter of Angus Hall is trained by Andreane Lapierre and is owned by Lombart. She paid $2.80 to win.
X O X O is now tied with Platine Alpha as the two winningest horses at H3R this season, each with seven wins.
Track Notes: Stephane Gendron was at his best on Friday, driving four winners on the program. Stephane Gendron had a driving double. The Breeders Trophy Series continues at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday (post time 12:10 p.m.) with two divisions of the final preliminary round for three-year-old pacing colts and fillies. Cadillac Bayama is seeking to make a clean sweep of the series for the pacers. For a free race program, visit hippodrome3r.ca.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)