Native son Daniel Dube put the exclamation point on the richest day of racing at Hippodrome Trois-Rivieres by guiding three-year-old pacer Duc Dorleans to a new all-ages track record on Sunday.
The mile of 1:52.4, achieved despite strong winds, shaved a second off the standard set a year ago at the half-mile oval by older pacer Montreal Phil.
"I never thought I’d go a 1:52 mile at Trois-Rivières," said Dube, 44, who started his career at the track and now is based at Yonkers Raceway.
Duc Dorleans, a three-year-old gelding by Shanghai Phil, was parked through a brutal half in :54.3 by pacesetter Mckinney but was able to persevere for a three-length victory in the $50,000 final of the Series Québécoises for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
It was his 10th career victory and pushed his earnings past $185,000 for owners Les Ecuries Dorleans Inc. of Repentigny, Que. and Gestion C. Levesque 2005 Inc. of St. Jean sur Richelieu. Jacques Dupont is the trainer.
In all, there were seven $50,000 finals for Québec-bred and Québec-owned pacers and trotters aged two and three on the card.
Hudson Standardbreds and trainer Marcel Barrieau won two of them. Barrieau guided the Shanghai Phil filly Racey Miss to a 1:56.4 score in the $50,000 event for three-year-old pacing fillies and did the same with the Kadabra colt Mr Vs Victory, who captured the event for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings in 1:59.2.
Maximuscle gave his supporters a fright in the $50,000 final for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings, making a break at the start for driver Mario Charron and then getting parked by leader Somoli E. as he trotted back into contention, but he managed to prevail anyway in 2:05 as the 1-5 favourite. The Angus Hall colt is owned by Ecurie Provoquante of Mirabel, Que.
Hall Bro got the job done in the $50,000 final for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings, protecting his rail position from the outset for driver Stephane Brosseau.
`”I think he’s better when he follows but I had to race him in front today because of the way the race went,” Brosseau said.
The diminutive two-year-old son of Blissfull Hall is owned by Ferme Brodeur of Terrebonne, Que., and trained by Antonio Valente.
“The trainer does the job. The driver is just the cherry on the sundae,” said Brosseau.
Canbec Kangourou led from start to finish in the final for three-year-old trotting fillies, hitting the wire in 2:02.3 for driver Jocelyn Gendron. The Amigo Hall filly is co-owned by trainer Daniel Martin and Lapharmaciedekedgewick of Kedgewick, N.B.
Champagne Shower was another popular winner in the final for two-year-old pacing fillies, scampering home first in 2:00.2 for driver Denis St. Pierre. It was the fifth victory in eight starts for the Santanna Blue Chip filly owned by Sotirios Anastasopoulos of Ste. Therese, Que. and pushed her career earnings past $53,000.
(Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)
To view results for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Results – Hippodrome Trois-Rivieres.