Don’t try and say his name three times fast, but Babidibou was the fastest Friday in three divisions of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old trotters at the Hippodrome 3R.
The favourite over rival Major Bay in the third race, first of two $7,500 colt divisions of the Future Stars, Babidibou and driver Stephane Gendron settled into the pocket seat behind leader Major Bay (Jocelyn Gendron) after the start of the race.
The two favourites pulled away from the field by the opening quarter-mile and the half-mile. Tuscan Titan (Stephane Brosseau) came first-over but was unable to gain ground on the leaders.
Then on the final turn, Stephane Gendron pulled Babidibou and came after Major Bay. Those two battled down the stretch with Babidibou coming out on top by a neck in 2:04. Tuscan Titan was third.
Babidibou and Major Bay have now faced his other twice and each have won. Their next match up will be in the $55,000 Future Stars final on Sunday, Sept. 8. That is when all eight finals will take place at H3R with total purses at $480,000.
It was the second straight series win for Babidibou, a son of Royalty For Life, who is trained by Maxime Velaye and co-owned by Isidore Russo of Montreal and Guy Corbeil of Mirabel, Que. He paid $3.40 to win.
The fifth race, second colt division saw race favourite Kenogami Coco and driver Stephane Brosseau easily handle the field, going wire-to-wire in a two and three-quarter length triumph in a mild 2:06.4. HP Muscle Dancer (Jocelyn Gendron) was second with Frido PV (Yves St Jacques) third.
Kenogami Coco earned his second career win from five starts. The Wheeling N Dealin gelding is trained by Dany Fontaine and owned by breeder Jean Francois and Marie Claude Reid of Anjou, Que. He paid $2.60 to win.
The fillies raced in just one division of the Future Stars with nine starters going for a purse of $10,000.
After a recall caused by race favourite Emotions Durables (Tyler Jones), who was going for her fourth straight win, she went off-stride again as the gate pulled away. This allowed Miss Sofia (Stephane Gendron) to scoot right out to a quick early lead, only she broke stride before the opening quarter.
It was HP Starlette who stayed on stride and then led the field the rest of the one-mile trot, winning with ease by five and three-quarter lengths in 2:04.4 for driver Stephane Brosseau. Noblesse Duharas (Denis Gueriel), a 99-1 long shot, was second with Emotions Durables making a big comeback to finish third.
It was the first career victory in four starts for HP Starlette. The daughter of Muscle Mass is trained by Daniel Martin for breeder/owners Claude Hamel of Ayer’s Cliff, Que., and Guy Desautels of Montreal. She paid $12.50 to win.
Track Notes: H3R’s leading driver Stephane Gendron, Pascal Berube and Stephane Brosseau all had driving doubles. H3R’s leading trainer Francis Richard, Denis Gueriel and Maxime Velaye each had training doubles. On Sunday, the Hippodrome 3R hosts the last preliminary round of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old pacers with three divisions on the 10-race program. First race post time is 1 p.m. For a free race program or to view the races live for free, visit quebecjockeyclub.com.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)