Hippodrome 3R is adding Friday twilight harness racing to its schedule starting tomorrow, June 7.
The Trois-Rivieres, Que. track will host racing every Friday through Sept. 20 with the exception of Aug. 9. Post time is 4 p.m.
The season's first Friday program, consisting of eight races, will feature the $5,000 Preferred Trot in the fifth race.
Three former Quebec-bred champions, Kenogami Coco (Post 2), Timonier (Post 3) and Only For Justice (Post 5), grace the field.
All eyes will be on the morning line race favourite, Thats Hooligan (Post 7), for driver Marie-Claude Auger. Owned and trained by Peter Lepage, the eight-year-old Rose Run Hooligan gelding is undefeated so far in 2024 with two straight wins at 3R. Both of his victories were tough first-over efforts, the fastest in 2:00.
Another return winner in the field is Miles Of Muscle (Post 1) for driver Robert Shepherd. Last week, the five-year-old What The Hill gelding was able to wire the field and hold on by a neck in 2:01.3 for the Gabriel Beaumont stable.
This Sunday, 3R continues its live racing schedule with post time at 12 noon.
In Sunday's 10th race, the $5,000 Preferred Pace, local fans will get to see the Woodbine Mohawk Park shipper, Thong Control, compete for the first time in Quebec. Thong Control is a four-year-old Control The Moment gelding trained by Jean Tourigny and will be driven from the rail by Auger. Earlier this season, he won at Mohawk Park in a lifetime-best mile of 1:51.1.
Trained by Daniel Mondou, Kiss Me Bad (Post 4) is one of three mares in the field and in her last start she looped the field in the backstretch to win with ease in 1:56.1 for driver and owner Steven Gagnon.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)