Ufdragons Rocket and driver Pascal Berube had just one goal in Sunday’s (Sept. 1) Preferred Handicap Pace at Hippodrome 3R: Go to the front and hold on for the entire one-mile race.
And that is just what they did.
Leaving from post four in the featured ninth race, Berube and Ufdragons Rocket battled early and took the lead away from D J Power (Louis-Philippe Turcotte) at the opening quarter in :27.1.
Nearing the half-mile marker, driver Jonathan Lachance came first-over with favourite Atomic Million AM, and they helped press the lead to the half in :57.3, with Kinnder Jackson (Pierre-Luc Roy) following second-over.
Roy was not content following cover, so he moved Kinnder Jackson three-wide in the backstretch but was unable to pass by Atomic Million AM with Ufdragons Rocket still in control past the three-quarters in 1:26.
Then, as the field started down the stretch, Lachance found another gear for Ufdragons Rocket, who went on to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.4. DJ Power was second, with Atomic Million AM third.
It was the second straight win and fourth on the season for UF Dragons Rocket. The oldest competitor in the field at age 10, the gelded son of Dragon Again is trained by Yves Tessier for owner Francois Morin. He paid $7.10 to win.
The fastest mile on the day was in the 10th race, where trainer-driver Carol Voyer went wire-to-wire with Maracasso ($13.40) in 1:54.2.
Leading driver Stephane Gendron led all drivers with two wins, and leading trainer Francis Richard had three winners from his stable.
$480,000 Québec-Bred Finals next Sunday
Next Sunday (Sept. 8) the Québec Jockey Club will host the $480,000 Québec-Bred Finals for both the Breeders Cup and Future Stars Series at Hippodrome 3R.
There will be four Breeders Cup Finals for three-year-old pacers and trotters, with each division racing for a purse of $65,000. There will also be four Future Stars Finals for two-year-old trotters and pacers, each division racing for a purse of $55,000.
Post time next Sunday is 1 p.m. For a free race program, visit www.quebecjockeyclub.com.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(Québec Jockey Club)