Sent postward as the longest shot on the board in the $7,000 Preferred Handicap Pace, Hestonator closed out the Thursday, Aug. 6 card at Hippodrome 3R with a bang as he prevailed in a three-across finish in his Quebec return and completed a training triple for Marc-Andre Simoneau.
Returning to the stable of Hippodrome 3R's leading trainer after racing in Ontario since his May 10 season's debut, Hestonator journeyed first-over to secure his first Preferred victory in 1:54.4 with Jocelyn Gendron catch-driving. Overlooked at odds of 14-1, he sparked a $31.50 win payout, upsetting 6-5 favourite Bets Beach.
Winner of last week's Preferred, Bets Beach worked his way to the lead from the outside post seven for driver Pascal Berube, taking over the top spot from Self Made and Stephane Brosseau after a :27.3 opening sprint. As Bets Beach settled on top through rated middle splits of :56.2 and 1:25.2, Gendron sent Hestonator on the attack from fifth and advanced into second before they turned for home. Hestonator kept gaining on Bets Beach on the outside as they raced to the wire while Self Made snuck up the inside in the thrilling photo finish that went the way of the longshot.
Simoneau shares ownership of the six-year-old gelding with Desjardins Noreau Stable of Quebec City, Que.
Hestonator improved his seasonal scorecard to 2-3-1 in 11 starts. The victory was his 14th lifetime and pumped his bankroll past $130,000.
Simoneau's earlier wins on Thursday evening were courtesy of four-year-old claiming pacers Royalty Girl (1:59.2) and Im Victory (1:58.1), both driven by Berube.
In other racing action, Claude Grenier celebrated his first training win in 22 years when five-year-old pacing mare High Roller finished first in the $3,750 sixth race. Making her second start for Grenier, the favoured Big Jim-Dianna Santanna mare rolled three-wide with a quarter-mile to go for driver Sylvain Fontaine and forged ahead of Mocktail and William Roy for the 1:59.3 triumph by three-quarters of a length. Grenier's last training win was in August 2004 at St. Hugues with Moe Letsgo. High Roller is owned by Dany Grenier of Ste-Helene-De-Bagot, Que.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(Standardbred Canada)