Hippodrome 3R will host a special live Thursday program this week, and it will feature the second annual NASCAR Night at the track, as auto racers will compete in an exhibition harness race.
There will also be a ten-race wagering program, headlined by the second round of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old pacers.
It’s currently Grand Prix Week in Trois-Rivieres and car races are being held throughout the town. The festivities have brought back NASCAR drivers Andrew Ranger and LP (Louis-Philippe) Dumoulin to H3R. The pair will renew their rivalry in the Horse Power Challenge II, a harness horse exhibition race. The auto drivers will steer their charges from double-seating jogging carts along with professional harness drivers, who will act as coaches.
The first edition of the Horse Power Challenge took place last year, and it was Quebec native Andrew Ranger (with racing coach Simon Allard) that beat LP Dumoulin, a native of Trois-Riveres and coach Stephane Brosseau by one length in 2:31.2.
Both NASCAR drivers were eager to go at it again this year. They will both be wearing their racing colours in the exhibition race, which will be conducted after the sixth race on the wagering card. Race fans can meet the two NASCAR drivers to get autographs afterward.
This year, Ranger will be in the race with ‘coach’ Jocelyn Gendron. Dumoulin will be with his coach from last year, Stephane Brosseau.
Future Stars Series Second Round
For the betting fans, Thursday’s ten-race card will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The second-round splits of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old pacing colts and fillies have been carded as Race 4, 6 and 9.
The first of two colt divisions will take place in Race 4, where the undefeated Whitecookie will be looking for his fifth consecutive victory. The son of Windfall Blue Chip, who is owned, trained and driven by Marie Claude Auger of Trois-Rivieres, will start from the rail. He has won twice at Rideau Carleton Raceway in 1:58.2 and scored a 2:01.2 triumph by four and one-half lengths in the opening round of the Future Stars Series. It appears as though his main competition will come from Eclat De Rire (Post 3) and Rock And Twist (Post 4).
The second colt division has been carded as Race 9. My Bettors Del (Post 4) is the morning line favourite. He broke his maiden with a three-length, 1:59.1 victory in the opening round. On Thursday, he will be driven by Stephane Brosseau for trainer Jacques Dupont. The son of Bettors Delight is owned by Yves Sarrazin of La Presentation along with Gestion Jam Audet, Inc. of Portneuf.
The lone filly division has been carded as Race 6. The entry of Lotus Sena (Post 2) and Three Star Sena (Post 5) head the field. Both fillies show ability. Lotus Sena won the opening round of the series with a ten-length romp in 2:01.4. Three Star Sena was second in 2:00.2 last week at H3R. The large ten-horse field also features return winner Acaena De Chakirka (Post 10) and Cant Fight Fate (Post 4).
For a free Thursday night program, head to quebecjockeyclub.com.
After Thursday, live racing at H3R will resume on Friday (August 16), which is Prix d’Ete weekend at the track. The $200,000 Prix d’Ete will take place on Sunday, August 18.
To view the harness racing entries for Thursday at H3R, click the following link: Thursday Entries – Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from the Quebec Jockey Club)