Eight of the top four-year-old harness racing pacers in North America will do battle this Sunday in the $200,000 revival of the Prix D’Ete at the Hippodrome 3R and their connections learned today what post-positions they have.
The Prix D’Ete is the richest race in North America this year for four-year-old pacers and many of the nation’s top harness racing drivers will be coming to Quebec province to compete on the race card.
“What a great field that has entered our revival of the Prix D’Ete,” said Vincent Trudel, the general manager of the Hippodrome 3R. “We could not have asked for a more competitive field. I am sure that Duc Dorleans' track record of 1:52.4 will be in jeopardy this Sunday and that our racing fans and horsemen are going to see a superb world-class race.”
World renowned trainer Jimmy Takter has entered standout pacer Sunfire Blue Chip, who is on a four-race winning streak -- including a 1:49.2 triumph in the $50,000 Open at Pocono Downs in his last start. Yannick Gingras returns to his home track to drive Sunfire Blue Chip. They did not fare well in the draw and will start from the outside in post 8, but they're listed as the 5-2 morning line choice.
Also sure to receive pari-mutuel support is Apprentice Hanover from the Ben Wallace Stable. The son of Somebeachsomewhere enters the race off of a lifetime best performance last week at Mohawk Racetrack in 1:49.2. Jody Jamieson will do the driving and they drew post 5.
The local favourite and all-age track record holder at the Hippodrome 3R is Duc Dorleans, who starts from post 4. Back in 2013 he became the only horse ever to break the 1:53 mark at 3R, going in 1:52.4. He will be driven by native son Daniel Dube.
Captive Audience leaves from post 7 for driver James MacDonald. The son of Art Major was an early season sensation and has recently being going against the best pacers at Mohawk.
Lucan Hanover hails from the talented Casie Coleman Stable and starts from post 3. This son of Western Ideal has but one win this year but has been super-game all season. Last week he was second by a nose on Yonkers half-mile oval in 1:58 at 1-1/16th miles and the prior week he won at Yonkers in 1:51.1. He will be driven by David Miller.
Mach It So starts from post 6 for trainer P. J. Fraley and ships to 3R having won three of his last four starts, the fastest a 1:48.2 lifetime mark at Pocono Downs. The Mach Three gelding will be handled by Scott Zeron.
Sunshine Beach drew the rail and is the highest money earner in the field at $$977,438, so a victory would in the Prix D’Ete would make him a millionaire. He is locally co-owned by the Hudson Standardbred Stable of Montreal and has a record this year of 1:49 at Mohawk. He will be driven by Doug McNair.
Si Semalu comes into the race after two sharp efforts at Mohawk, finishing second last week and the prior week posting his fifth win on the season for trainer Isaac Waxman in 1:52. He drew well with post two and will be driven by local star Denis St Pierre.
Here is the field in post-position order with driver and trainer:
2014 Prix D'Ete Field - Purse $200,000
1. Sunshine Beach (Doug McNair - Mark Steacy - 6-1)
2. Si Semalu (Denis St. Pierre - Isaac Waxman - 8-1)
3. Lucan Hanover (David Miller - Casie Coleman - 5-1)
4. Duc Dorleans (Daniel Dube - Jacques Dupont - 7-1)
5. Apprentice Hanover (Jody Jamieson - Ben Wallace - 3-1)
6. Mach It So (Scott Zeron - P.J. Fraley - 7-2)
7. Captive Audience (James MacDonald - Corey Johnson - 4-1)
8. Sunfire Blue Chip (Yannick Gingras - Jimmy Takter - 5-2)
There will be no consolation race.
Initially known as the Prix d’Automne and won by older horses such as the three-time Horse of the Year Bret Hanover, the marquee event at Blue Bonnets racetrack in Montreal was converted into the Prix D’Ete race for three-year-old pacers in 1970 and remained one of the major North American stakes in the division until its last running in 1992. Past winners included Cam Fella, Niatross, Albatross, Strike Out, Abercrombie, Matts Scooter and Beach Towel.
The Prix D’Ete weekend gets underway Saturday evening with a special live race program beginning at 7:30 p.m. First race post time for Sunday’s Prix D’Ete card is 1:00 pm.
(Quebec Jockey Club)