This Sunday, October 7, two-year-old pacing fillies will battle it out at the Hippodrome 3R in the annual Lucien Bombardier Stakes, going for a purse of $32,700.
One of the pioneers of harness racing in Canada, especially Quebec, Lucien Bombardier devoted his entire life to the industry. Born and raised near Bedford, Que., Bombardier retired in 1992 after 16 years on the board of directors of the Canadian Standardbred Horse Society (CSHS).
The following year, at age 86, Bombardier became the first honourary director of the CSHS. His appointment by the board of directors in January 1993 was in recognition of achievement and contribution to the Society and the Standardbred industry.
Bombardier was also honoured in 1985 when he was recognized for his lifelong devotion to the industry as the recipient of the Society’s General Achievement Award for his excellence, leadership and contribution to the breeding industry and by his election into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame the following year.
Bombardier started training and driving harness horses at agricultural fair meetings in Quebec at an early age. In the early 1940s, he left a business career to open a large racing stable at Richelieu Park in Montreal and in 1953 he accepted an executive position with Blue Bonnets.
During 25 years in racetrack management he played a role in developing many changes and innovations that helped make harness racing a major sport industry and earned him an enviable reputation on both sides of the border. He also served as a director of Harness Tracks of America and the Canadian Trotting Association.
At age 68, Bombardier retired from Blue Bonnets and embarked upon a new career when he became an executive with Angus Farms in Bedford, Que., one of the province’s most successful breeding establishments.
Bombardier died in 1995 and was honoured each year at the Hippodrome de Montreal with the running of the Lucien Bombardier Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies. With sponsorship from Standardbred Canada and the Quebec Jockey Club, the Hippodrome 3R revived the stakes race in 2011.
The eighth race Lucien Bombardier Stakes is headlined by Future Stars Champion, Cooking The Speed, who will start from post two for driver Stephane Gendron.
Trained by Michel Allard, the filly by So Surreal pulled up a major upset in her maiden victory, capturing the $55,000 Future Stars Final with a 1:57.3 triumph.
Another standout is Better Now, who drew the rail for driver Stephane Brosseau. The daughter of Betterthancheddar, trained by Pierre Ouellette, sports two wins this year in eight starts, the biggest victory a division of the Grassroots in Ontario in 1:59.1.
Giggle Hanover goes from post four for driver Pierre Luc Roy and two starts back finished in a dead-heat for win at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:54.1. It was the third win this year for the daughter of Well Said who is trained by Dominic Gladu.
There are also two $10,000 finals of the Quebec Plus Series. El Bleu, who won both elimination heats, heads the two-year-old trot field while track record holder Behavenmyself, who also won both elimination heats, is the standout in the two-year-old pace field.
Post time Sunday is 12:50 p.m. and for a free race program or information, visit quebecjockeyclub.com. For entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(with files from the Quebec Jockey Club)