Harness racing driver Denis St Pierre had another superb day at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday, scoring four winners including the $31,700 Lucien Bombardier Stake with Mo Molly Blue Chip.
One of the “pioneers” of horse racing in Canada, but especially Quebec, Lucien Bombardier devoted his entire life to the industry. Born and raised near Bedford, Que., Bombardier started training and driving harness horses at agricultural fair meetings in Quebec at an early age.
In the early 1940s he left a business career to open a large racing stable at Richelieu Park in Montreal and in 1953 he accepted an executive position with Blue Bonnets (then Hippodrome de Montreal).
During 25 years in racetrack management he played a role in developing many changes and innovations that helped make harness racing a major sport industry and earned him an enviable reputation on both sides of the border. He also served as a director of Harness Tracks of America, the Canadian Trotting Association and 16 years on the board of directors of the Canadian Standardbred Horse Society.
The Bombardier Stake for two-year-old pacing fillies featured track record holder My Fleet Three, who was gunning for her third straight win. She started from post three for driver Mario Charron and in typical recent fashion went right to the lead.
Only this week following My Fleet Three from the start was Mo Molly Blue Chip, who despite being winless in seven starts, has been racing against much tougher competition in the New York Sire Stakes and stakes events at Mohawk Racetrack.
With St. Pierre handling the driving, Mo Molly Blue Chip was glued to My Fleet Three’s back as they cut fractions of :28.1, :59.2 and 1:28.4.
To complicate matters for My Fleet Three, First Girl (Stephane Gendron) came first-over at the half-mile marker and continued pressure on the outside through the three-quarters.
Then in the stretch, St Pierre asked Mo Molly Blue Chip for a little more and she kicked in a :29 last quarter-mile and went on to win by one length in 1:58. My Fleet Three held for second-place with Rainbow Palace (Frances Picard) finishing third.
Trained by Yves Tesser, Mo Molly Blue Chip is a daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven and is owned by Debbie Element of Waterdown, Ont., Geoffrey Lyons Mound of Brantford, Ont., and Jean Mondoux of Laval, Que. She paid $3.80 to win as the wagering favourite. Mo Molly Blue Chip was coupled in the wagering with stablemate Ainsleynoelle, who was fourth.
St Pierre started off the afternoon winning the fourth race pace with Barre Obligue ($8.60) in 1:59.2; the sixth race pace with Last Run ($14.40) in 1:58.4 and the seventh race pace with Dont Tell Mom ($3.20) in 1:57 before capping his “grand slam” day with Mo Molly Blue Chip.
Next week the Hippodrome 3R hosts the $250,000 Prix D’Ete weekend. There will be a special Saturday night live race program beginning at 7 p.m. and then on Sunday the race card will feature the $200,000 Prix D’Ete for four-year-old pacers, a $50,000 consolation race plus a $15,000 Invitational Trot and Pace. Sunday post time is 1 p.m.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from QJC)