Jimbelina, the lone mare in the field against eight male rivals, will go for her sixth straight win during Sunday's card of harness racing at Hippodrome 3R.
The six-year-old daughter of Big Jim was assigned the far outside post eight in the Preferred Pace, slated as the fifth race. She is trained by Jean Tourigny and owned by Roland Trudel of Becancour.
“She (Jimbelina) really came to me to rest a little,” said Tourigny. “But she is racing so well now we will continue with her.”
Jimbelina hails from a strong family lineage. Her dam, Buddys Gal, had five foals and all of them made the races. Jimbelina has a half-sister, Fast N Fiesty p,5,1:50f, who made $397,000 and a half-brother, Buddy Weiser p,1:52.1f, who made $174,000.
“She is a beautiful mare,” Tourigny said. “She’s really very quiet and easy to get along with.”
Jimbelina has already shown she can beat the boys, having won a Preferred 3 race her first time over 3R’s half-mile oval. That was two starts back when she raced from off the pace to win in 1:55.4.
When at Georgian Downs Jimbelina showed that she can also overcome post eight, winning on the front end in 1:54.2.
So, does that mean she can overcome post eight again on Sunday at 3R?
“You never know what may happen on Sunday,” Touriney said.
Jimbelina’s main competition Sunday will come from a trio of male competitors in the race. They are Maracasso (post four), who won last weeks race but was disqualified for going inside the pylons, Mister Big Top (post five) who was placed first in the race, and Surf Report (post seven), who was a game second in last week’s top pace.
Sunday’s program also features a Preferred Pace for Fillies and Mares headed by Uptown Woman (post seven), Sauble Bonnie (post six) and Rainbow Palace (post eight).
There is also a Two-Year-Old Open Pace featuring Solid Man (post five), Acaena De Chakrika (post three) and SOS Cupcake (post one).
The 11-race Sunday race card gets underway at 1:00 pm. For a free program, visit quebecjockeyclub.com. To view the entries for Sunday's card, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.
(with files from the Quebec Jockey Club)