A total of 17 two-year-old trotters and pacers will make their 2021 harness racing debuts at Hippodrome 3R Saturday afternoon (June 12).
The special 10-race program is devoted to the Québec Regional Fair Circuit. Post time on Saturday is 1 p.m. and up to 250 racing fans will be allowed to come to the track and watch the races live.
The first two-year-old to compete is actually going against three-year-olds: pacer Titanium Alpha, who will start from post one in the opener. The colt by Hes Watching from the Big Jim mare Ma Terre is a half-brother to Platine Alpha. Both are owned, bred and trained by Sylvain Tremblay for his Alpha Stable.
Older sister Platine Alpha has already started her three-year-old campaign at H3R with a record 1:58 clocking and earnings of nearly $30,000. Little brother Titanium Alpha has also gotten off on the right hoof as he won his second qualifying race in 2:03.4 at H3R and is the 7-2 third choice on the morning line with driver Pascal Bérubé handling the lines.
The second race features a field of seven, and all but one of the trotters will make their first start on the racetrack. The only horse in the field that has even had a qualifying race is Stella Alpha (post 3), for Sylvain Tremblay. She was third, timed in 2:08.4, in her first qualifier. She is sired by Royalty For Life from the Muscle Mass mare Eclair Chocolat, making her a full sister to undefeated Archimed Alpha (2-for-2 in 2021), who has just begun his three-year-old season.
Eclair Chocolat will be driven by Pascal Bérubé.
Another Tremblay homebred is the favourite in the third race, for two-year-old pacers. Ritchie Alpha (post 5) will have Bérubé in the sulky and has competed in two qualifying races, timed in 2:05 both times. He is sired by Shanghai Phil from the Bolero Master mare Godiva Beachgirl, which makes him a half-brother to both Godiva Mackiavelyc (p,1:56.3) and Godiva Lovely Lady (p,1:56.4).
Other sired being represented with two-year-olds racing include Lindys Tru Grit, Explosive Matter, Crazed, Holiday Road, Muscle Mass, Angus Hall, State Treasurer, Sunshine Beach, Sportswriter and Windfall Blue Chip.
The race card has a variety of different races Saturday. There are two events for just trainers driving and one of the races is just for amateur drivers.
COVID protocols will be in place for all spectators attending the races and for the horsepeople in the race paddock.
Sunday’s (June 13) regular race card starts at 12:30 p.m.
For more information and to get a free race program, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.
To view Saturday's complete entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries – Hippodrome 3R.
(Québec Jockey Club)