Hippodrome 3R will conduct its first draw of the 2020 harness racing season on Monday (June 22) for the special opening day program on Wednesday, June 24, which is National Quebec Day.
First race post time on opening day is 4:00 p.m. The condition sheet can be accessed here. Entries must be made by 11:00 a.m Monday.
With approvals set in place with the Quebec Racing Commission, the Quebec Jockey Club will run a 40-day race meet at 3R. After the special Wednesday program, live racing will take place Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and Fridays at 4:00 p.m.
“It will be tight drawing Monday for Wednesday,” said Director of Racing Murielle Thomassin. “But we should be fine as we have eight qualifying races Saturday and already had seven qualifying races this past Wednesday.”
Regarding the Quebec-Bred Series at 3R, Thomassin is awaiting final approval from the Quebec Racing Commission of the revised stakes schedule. 3R features stakes series for two, three-year-old and older horses, both on the trot and pace.
“At the start of the race season we will limit ourselves to eight races per card,” Thomassin explained. “and we will then see how the situation evolves. Housing 64 horses in the paddock with all the required mandatory distance respected, is a logistical problem.
“It should also be noted that the collaboration of all the horsepeople has been very much appreciated to date,” Thomassin added. “Everyone seems to understand that we have to comply with exceptional measures and people willingly submit to them. So much the better. What we do not want is to have to stop the races, failing to comply with the directives of Public Health."
(With files from the Quebec Jockey Club)