The harness racing season is now in full swing at Hippodrome 3R, with racing this Friday (May 28) starting at 4 p.m. In the main event Preferred 3-2 Handicap Pace, a protégé of Charles Gaudreault is the likely favourite: the nine-year-old Littlebitaswagger, to be driven by H3R's top reinsman, Stéphane Brosseau.
"I bought the horse without really seeing it, from David Daigneault,” Gaudreault said. “And it must be believed that he liked my offer, since it was settled on the phone! Obviously, I had watched him before and it was to my liking. Good on a half-mile, good scorer too, qualities that I liked. Even more, when I saw him here at the farm, I was very happy because he has four beautiful legs and he is pretty sharp. A good buy. I took three young people with me on the adventure, young people from here that I coached last winter. They're guys in their early twenties and they're new figures who are interested in racing."
In his first start at Hippodrome 3R last week, Littlebitaswagger nearly won at odds of 10-1 for Gaudreault, missing by a neck in 1:57.2. He is the 5-2 favourite Friday from post five.
Gaudreault has been busy at his farm and has other horses racing at H3R Friday and Sunday.
"I'm currently training nine horses," Gaudreault said. "Fortunately I have a little help from my brother, Maxim, and his wife, Gaby. Of the nine, there is Twin B Fearless that will start on Sunday; it belongs to Martin Roy and he is in charge of it. We had success with this horse last year; we lost it by claim at Rideau Carleton in the $10,000 claimers series. After the series, the guy wanted to get rid of it. We made him an offer and we have him back with us. He's a good horse; he earned more than $20,000 last year by racing mostly here (H3R). Friday will be his second start but he has the eighth position. We'll see!
"I also train four three-year-olds,” Gaudreault added. “Two are Godro Outofhisway and Moonbeam Godro. I'm going to qualify them on Saturday. The other two are not ready to race yet. Better Than Godro, which belongs to my brother and Gaby Godro, named after Maxim's wife He is currently at Stéphane Brosseau stable for adjustments before sending it in qualifiers. As for Better Than Godro, we worked in 2:06 here at the farm, so he will be ready to go shortly. I'm also preparing two two-year-olds. And add to that a four-year-old mare, Bellafornow (Ameripan Gigolo), who raced a lot in Ontario last year. She's a little questionable. On May 7, she was on her way to victory at H3R, but she veered off course and was demoted to second place. We'll see her again soon and hopefully will get her straightened out.”
Charles Gaudreault is now 28 years old. He has officially been a trainer since 2009, but has never neglected either studies or today a job that allows him to live outside the races.
He had his best season in 2017 with 32 wins and more than $80,000 in purse earnings. These statistics are not snoring, but the man has campaigned a lot on the regional circuit throughout these years. If all goes according to plan, Charles is expected to take two interesting steps in the coming months: a 200th career victory (he has 186) and the $500,000 mark in purses earned — he already has $487,000. And in the opinion of his colleagues in the paddock, he is a charming young man and appreciated by all.
As for Littlebitaswagger, he will have his work cut out for him on Friday. Maracasso (post 8) is always a contender when he races. Brookletsjustified (post 1) is coming off an impressive 1:58.1 qualifying win, and Somewhere Bettor (post 4) won in this class two starts back in 1:56.
First race post time Friday is 4 p.m. and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Free programs are available at www.hippodrome3r.ca.
(Québec Jockey Club)