With the 2020 stakes season over at the Hippodrome 3R, the main focus in the province of Quebec is now on the overnight racing cards, and there is a real slugfest set for this Friday (Oct. 9) in the Preferred-Handicap Trot.
Post time Friday has been switched to 1:00 p.m. and will remain at that time for the rest of the season.
The card's featured race (Race 7) has drawn seven starters, and a good case can be made for any of the horses to be able to win the race.
New to the lineup from the U.S.A. is Northfield Park invader, Chuckiessweetdream (Post 3) for trainer Jean Beaulieu and owner Fannie Saul-Beaulieu of Margate, FL.
The four-year-old gelded son of Pilgrims Chuckie will make his Canadian debut and will be driven by Francis Picard. Chuckiessweetdream comes into the race off an impressive 1:57.4 victory at Northfield Park by three and one-half lengths.
The 5-2 early favourite is none other than Capteur De Reve (Post 5) for trainer Maxime Velaye and driver Stephane Gendron. The four-time Quebec-bred championship winner was given a perfect second-over drive last week by Gendron and the six-year-old Muscle Mass gelding responded with a 2:00.1 triumph over a 'good' track thast featured a two-second allowance.
Owned and bred by The Provoquante Stable of Mirable, Capteur De Reve sports four wins this year.
Keepall (Post 7) renews his rivalry with Capteur De Reve and will be driven by Pascal Berube. In their last two meetings, both horses have won against each other.
Completing the field are Bucketlist Hanover (Post 6) with Jocelyn Gendron driving, Eau Naturelle (Post 1), who is coming off a 2:00.3 triumph last week for driver Steeven Genios, Sir Chopin (Post 2) with Samuel Fillion and Severus Hanover (Post 4) for driver Stephane Brosseau.
In Race 8, special mention goes to the ageless warrior, Onyx A V (Post 7), who at the age of 14, must retire from regular pari-mutuel racing come January 1, 2021. The gelded son of Electric Stena has nearly $300,000 in career earnings and a record of 1:53.2. Two starts back he was a winner at H3R in 1:58.
Onyx A V is trained and driven by Claude Beausoleil for owner Andre Larocque of Lourdes-De-Joliette. Onyx V A will still be able to race next year in the Quebec Regional Fair Circuit.
For a free race program, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.
To view the entries for Friday at H3R, click the following link: Friday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(Quebec Jockey Club)