In a stunning first-over challenge against Four Starz Speed, Jamigo, a 10-1 longshot, was able to grind it out and post an upset victory to win the Invitational Trot at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday (September 24).
The program’s Race 8 feature got underway with Dance Hall George (driven by Gaetan Lamy) shooting to the early lead with R Rkdabra (Pascal Berube) right on their back.
Then by the opening quarter mile in :28.2, trainer/driver Kevin Maguire had the veteran 12-year-old Four Starz Speed on the move and brushing to the lead.
After backing down the pace slightly going to the half mile in :59, Four Starz Speed was challenged first-over by Jamigo and driver Daniel Laflamme. As the field entered the backstretch, Laflamme rated Jamigo on the outside, just a neck shy of collaring race leader Four Starz Speed. Tuscans Memory (Mario Charron) was following the outside flow of Jamigo to stay in contention.
Then, with a bold three-wide move going to the three-quarters, KFB Amigo Cool and driver Stephane Brosseau entered the fray with all three horses just heads apart at the three-quarters in 1:29.3.
Around the final turn and still stuck three-wide, KFB Amigo Cool could not keep up with the race leaders, and as they came down the stretch, Jamigo was able to dig deep and show true grit. He not only collared Four Starz Speed, but beat him to the wire for LaFlamme, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.4. Tuscans Memory was third.
For Jamigo, a nine-year-old gelded son of Angus Hall, it was his seventh victory this year for owner/trainer Manon Lamothe of Terrebonne. Jamigo, who earlier this season won three of four starts at the Hippodrome 3R, was returning to Quebec after racing in the USA. He won his last start at Pocono Downs in 1:57.2 before shipping home for Sunday’s Invitational Trot. Jamigo paid $22.70 to win.
Track Notes: The biggest upset on the day was in Race 9. The 1-2 favourite, Matts Phil and driver Stephane Gendron, tried leading from start to finish, but the pocket-sitting 22-1 Washington Hanover and driver Pascal Berube, waited until the final turn to pull the pocket and catch Matts Phil at the wire. The result was a half-length, 1:57.2 win that paid $46.20. Pascal Berube scored a driving double on the card. Also scoring driving doubles were Gaetan Lamy and Steven Genios. During the day’s qualifying session, Wildriverbumblebee equalled the track mark for three-year-old pacing colts with a 1:54.1 mile.
Live racing resumes at the Hippodrome 3R next Sunday with first race post time at 12:30 p.m.
(Quebec Jockey Club)