St Kitts was able to hold off a late charge by 22-1 longshot Sagawi in capturing the sixth race feature pace at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday (September 18) and became the winningest horse at the meet this season with six victories.
All eyes and most of the wagering dollars were on Whitemountain Nemo, the overwhelming 1-5 wagering favourite, who was going for his fourth straight win, but the seven-year-old was caught in traffic and never got into the race, finishing seventh.
St Kitts, one of only three three-year-olds going against older rivals, went right to the front for driver Stephane Brosseau with Sagawi and driver Jocelyn Gendron sitting right on their back.
Shanghai Ben and driver Sylvain Lacaille tried coming first-over early at the opening quarter-mile, but could not collar the race leader. Power N Politics (Jonathan Lachance) made a bold three-wide move in the backstretch, but also could not catch up to St Kitts.
As they started down the stretch, St Kitts began to bear out and Gendron came on strong with Sagawi along the rail, but could not catch St Kitts, who held on to win by a half-length in 1:59.1. Sheldonthepsychic (Pierre Luc Roy) was third.
A daughter of Somebeachsomewhere, St Kitts leads all horses at 3R this meet with her six wins in just nine starts for trainer Maxime Velaye and the Determination Stable of Montreal. She paid $8.90 to win.
St Kitts had been tied with Jimbelina, each with five wins this meet going into Sunday’s race.
Both Stephane Brosseau and driver Francis Picard had driving doubles on the card.
Live racing will resume at the Hippodrome 3R next Sunday with first race post time at 1:30 p.m.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from QJC)