With constant rain beginning at the start of the first race, Hippodrome 3R opened its 2024 harness racing season with a 10-race card on Sunday, May 5 in Trois-Rivieres, Que.
The very first race ended up being the fastest race on the afternoon program as 11-1 longshot Radley Hanover and driver Marie-Claude Auger were able to handle the off track and wire the field of pacers in 1:58.1 in a romp by 10-1/4 lengths. It was the first start of the year for the eight-year-old Art Major gelding, who is trained and owned by Karol Ann Malo of Saint-Liguori, Que. He paid $24.50 to win.
Due to the rain, the track was listed as "good" with a two second variant to start and then was downgraded after the third race to "sloppy" with a three second allowance from the judges. Mud fenders and rain gear were the order of the day.
In the eighth race feature, the $5,000 Preferred Pace, Thedoginthefight and driver Jocelyn Gendron were able to grind it out first-over against pacesetter and 4-5 race favourite Born A Rebel (Stephane Brosseau) and win by a quarter of a length in 2:02.2.
Born A Rebel was first on the lead to the opening quarter-mile in :29 before Thedoginthefight worked his way first-over from his early sixth position heading to the half-mile, which was clocked in 1:00.1. Born A Rebel continued to lead the way in the backstretch to three-quarters in 1:31.1 as Thedoginthefight was moving up into second place as they raced around the final turn. In the stretch drive, Thedoginthefight dug deep for Gendron and was able to collar Born A Rebel. Manhatten Joe (Denis St. Pierre) was third.
The win was the second of the season from 11 starts for Thedoginthefight. The eight-year-old Sweet Lou gelding was making his 3R debut from the Serge Houde stable for owner Gestion Louis Latulippe Inc. of St. Ferreol Les Neiges, Que. He paid $11.60 to win.
Both Auger and Gendron scored driving doubles on opening day.
Live harness racing resumes next Sunday, May 12 with first race post time at 12 noon.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Hippodrome 3R.
(With files from Quebec Jockey Club)