The top trotting ranks seem to switch out every week this year at Hippodrome 3R, as a new star appears to emerge as the meet unfolds. And it could be another new face in the limelight come Tuesday evening (June 20) in the sixth-race Invitational.
Returning from victory lane last week will be Commissioner Daley for trainer, driver and co-owner Guy Gagnon. The six-year-old gelded son of Conway Hall will start from Post 3 and will be seeking his sixth win of the season.
Currently on a two-race win streak, Commissioner Daley was able to wire the field last week, but he barely held off Caroluzzo in a head victory. The prior week, he also led from start to finish at Rideau Carlton Raceway with a 1:57.4 triumph.
Caroluzzo, who will start from Post 6 for driver Stephane Gendron, had left hard from Post 5 last week and got a perfect trip right behind Commissioner Daley, but could not pass him at the wire. He won the Invitational earlier this season for trainer Daniel Martin and is the slight morning line favourite Tuesday evening.
The closely matched race will also feature the 2017 debut of Capteur De Reve for trainer Maxime Velaye. The three-year-old colt by Muscle Mass was last year’s Quebec-Bred Series Champion at age two and will be taking on older horses for the first time.
Capteur De Reve is prepping for the upcoming Breeders Cup Series at H3R (that series will begin in July). He has qualified twice: he finished second by a head in 2:02.4 and then won last week in 2:02.4 at Rideau Carlton Raceway and could be poised for a big effort. It is not often that three-year-olds take on older horses in their seasonal debut.
Both Rocky Boy (PP4) and Four Starz Speed (PP5) have won the Invitational at H3R this season, and Theregoesthegroom (PP2), an 11-time winner in 2017, will be making just his second start this season and will be a factor in the race for trainer, driver and co-owner Denis Filion.
Both the third and fifth race trots Tuesday feature a large number of three-year-old trotters that are getting ready for the Breeders Cup Series at H3R, which will start on Tuesday, July 4. Each of the three preliminary legs will race for $7,500 per division and the finals on September 3 will be raced for $65,000 per division.
Post time Tuesday evening is 7:00 p.m. For more information, visit quebecjockeyclub.com.
To view the harness racing entries for Tuesday at Hippodrome 3R, click the following link: Tuesday Entries – Hippodrome 3R.
(Quebec Jockey Club)