The richest race in Quebec this year, the $100,000 Lucien Bombardier Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies, headlines what is shaping up as the premier card of the season on Sunday at Hippodrome de Montreal.
The 10-race program features seven stakes races and offers total purses of more than $384,000.
Among the talented young horses in action will be $400,000 winner Voelz Hanover, in from Ontario to race in a $30,000 Quebec Plus Elite stake for two-year-old pacing fillies, Peaceful Way consolation champ Tuscan Gal, who will have to overcome Post 12 in the $72,000 Roger White Trot for two-year-old trotting fillies, Pocono Downs shipper Sharknfestedwaters, the morning-line favourite in the Bombardier, and Quebec-bred Speculation, the handicapper’s choice in the $60,000 Garland Lobell trot for two-year-old trotting colts.
Speculation, a son of Pistols N Spurs, is trained and driven by Marcel Barrieau, who could be in for a big afternoon. He also has a top contender in the Roger White trot, Armbro Nash filly Jojo Bingbing, and a dark horse in the Bombardier, Dragon Again filly Allamerican Slide.
“The way they’re racing, I can’t complain. If they perform well, they got a shot,” said Barrieau, who purchased the three as yearlings for prices ranging from $8,000 to $13,000.
He won’t be buying any yearlings in Quebec this year, however, without some idea of whether the sport has any future in Montreal beyond November.
“As it stands, the owners aren’t interested,” he said. “I plan to go to Ontario and maybe get a couple of trotters at the sale there.”
To view Sunday’s entries, click here.
(Attractions Hippiques)