Perhaps a preview of the $65,000 Breeders Cup final for three-year-old pacing colts will take place at the Hippodrome 3R this Sunday (July 29).
There may be only seven entered in the eighth race, the second round of the Breeders Cup Series for a purse of $10,000, but what a tough field it is.
Featured will be Hudson Phil from post two for driver Clarke Steacy. Currently on a two-race winning streak, Hudson Phil just won an Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots division at Rideau Carleton last week in 1:52.3. The prior week he sizzled at 3R, setting a track record with his 1:53.2 triumph.
Then in post seven is last year’s Quebec Champion, Stock, who will be driven by Stephane Brosseau. He has won two of his last three starts and at 3R led from start to finish by 15 and three-quarter lengths in 1:54.2.
Kinnder Jackson, from post five, has been a local favourite and he boasts five wins in his six starts this year. Last week he scored in 1:56.1 for driver Justin Filion.
Also coming off a 1:58 victory at 3R is D Gs Onceuponatime, who starts from post six for driver Jonathan Lachance. Rounding out the field at Big Mach (post one), who has been a game second in his last two starts, Power Fog (post three), and Chloes Master (post four).
The fillies get underway in race two with the first of two $7,500 divisions. Katniss S BG is favoured from post six for driver Pascal Berube. She won an opening round division in 1:57.
Starting alongside Katniss S BG in post seven is All You Can Dream with driver Stephane Brosseau. She was an impressive winner last week in 1:56.3.
Other contenders include Miss Rockadali (post two) and Lit De Rose (post one).
The second division for fillies goes postward in race five and looks to be a great battle between Butterfly BG and Sharks Summrshandy.
Butterfly BG wired the field in the first round for trainer/driver Guy Gagnon in 1:56.2. Ontario invader Sharks Summrshandy, who had been competing at Woodbine Mohawk Park, ships in off a 1:54.2 triumph.
Also entered are Lune Bleu (post three) and Roxane (post four), who are tough contenders.
There is also a great lineup in the third race, the Invitational-Handicapped Pace.
Featured is three-time Quebec Champion Atomic Million AM (post three), shipping in off a 1:53.2 romp by nine lengths at Kawartha Downs. Challengers include Windsun Cheyenne (post six), who has won two of his last three starts including a 1:54 score at 3R, and Mister Big Top (post four) a winner in last his two starts, the fastest in 1:56.2.
Two-time Quebec Series Champion, Wildriverbumblebee is in post eight while Chaleurs Ad (post one) has won his last two starts and three of his last four races, the fastest in 1:58 on the Quebec Regional Fair Circuit.
And, alas, the lone mare in the field, Quebec Champion HP Sissy, goes against the boys from post seven. She has not yet lived up to her potential from last year, but still is a game performer.
First race post time is 12:50 p.m. For entries, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from the Quebec Jockey Club)