Despite not being able to be a snowbird and spend the winter in Florida, trainer Maxime Velaye says the top trotter in his stable, Capteur De Reve, is ready for the 2018 harness racing season as he makes his debut Sunday at Hippodrome 3R.
Last year, Capteur De Reve was the champion three-year-old colt trotter of the year in Quebec. He posted four wins on the season, including an eye-popping 1:55 lifetime mark in winning a $95,000 division of the Ontario Sires Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack. He also captured the $65,000 final of the Breeders Cup Series at Hippodrome 3R.
“Neither of us got to spend the winter in Florida,” trainer Maxime Velaye laughed. “We spent a nice winter at the farm in Mirabel. He (Capteur De Reve) did grow and really filled out this winter and now he looks amazing.
“I think he will have a great season,” Velaye explained. “He has made just 21 starts lifetime over the past two seasons and that makes room for him to continue to improve. He is the kind of horse that is still learning and gets more mature every year.”
On Sunday, Capteur De Reve faces a tough task in his 2018 debut. He has the far outside post eight in the ninth race Invitational-Handicapped trot and will be driven by Pierre-Luc Roy.
His competition includes Rocky Boy, the 5-2 favourite from post five for driver Marc Belanger. In his last start at 3R, Rocky Boy and Belanger cruised the half-mile oval with a 1:57 score that tied his lifetime mark and is the fastest trotting mile so far this season.
In post seven is lone mare in the field, Torches Angel for driver Stephane Brosseau. She has won her last two starts at 3R and three of her last four. Other return winners in the field include Caroluzzo (post one) and Neon Lights (post nine).
“I look for him (Capteur De Reve) to be lucky with his post tomorrow,” laughed Velaye. “We know we would get the eight post because of his good earnings in his last five starts. I want him to race good and finish strong in the last quarter.”
The top pacers are in action in the seventh race where Rainbow Palace, again the lone mare in the field of nine, starts from post seven and is coming off a super strong win in her last start. She will be driven by Francis Picard
On May 13, Rainbow Palace was able to wire the field in 1:55 for her first win in three starts. She will have it tough this week, facing return winners HP Patriote (post two), Onyx VA (post four) and Mister Big Top (post five).
There will be a major announcement Sunday from the Quebec Jockey Club at the Hippodrome 3R about a special upcoming event on Sunday, June 24.
First race post time Sunday is 12:50 pm. For entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(with files from the Quebec Jockey Club)