A rare dead heat for the win at H3R

In a thrilling conclusion to the 5th race, the $5,000 Preferred Pace for mares at the Hippodrome Trois-Rivières (H3R) in Quebec on Sunday, September 1, race favourites Era Of Love and Rec Time could not be separated, resulting in a rare dead heat for the win—the first of the season at H3R.

Shanghaibluebeach, driven by William Roy, took the initial lead, with Era Of Love (JK Endofanera) settling in for a two-hole trip, guided by driver Pascal Berube. After an opening quarter of :27.1, Berube urged Era Of Love to the front.

Maintaining a steady pace, Era Of Love hit the half-mile mark in :57, while Mac N Cheddar (Robert Shepherd) advanced first-over, with Rec Time (Huntsville) and Denis St Pierre positioned second-over. Just before reaching the three-quarters in 1:26.2, Denis St Pierre directed Rec Time three-wide, allowing her to sweep past Mac N Cheddar and challenge Era Of Love on the final turn.

As they approached the finish, both Mach N Cheddar and Rec Time closed in on Era Of Love, resulting in a thrilling dead heat at the wire, with a final time of 1:56.3. Shanghaibluebeach finished third, two and three-quarters lengths behind the winners.

This marked Era Of Love's second victory of the season. The five-year-old roan mare is trained by Jean-François Maguire, who co-owns her with Jean Allaire, and she paid just $2.10 to win.

Rec Time celebrated her fifth victory of the year. This four-year-old mare is trained by Michel Allard for owner Danielle Henri, and she also paid $2.10 to win.

As the day progressed, the weather shifted from sunny skies to rain clouds, eventually leading to misty rain during the 10th race, another $5,000 Preferred Pace for the horses.

Light The Torch (Always Be Miki), driven by Pascal Berube, emerged as the overwhelming 1/9 favourite from the rail, an expectation he met by leading from start to finish.

By the opening quarter mile, Light The Torch set a brisk pace at :28.3, with Frozen Hanover (Stephane Brosseau) in the two-hole after starting from post eight, while Ritchie Alpha (William Roy) was left first-over and had no choice but to push forward. No Time At All (Simon Delisle) sat second-over.

By the half-mile mark in :59.1, Light The Torch maintained his lead, reaching the three-quarters in 1:28, as Ritchie Alpha began to falter, pushing No Time At All three-wide.

As they entered the stretch, Light The Torch gained separation from Frozen Hanover and powered to a commanding three-and-a-half length victory, clocking in at 1:56.4 on the off-track. Frozen Hanover finished in second, followed by Sports Bettor (Denis St Pierre) in third.

This was Light The Torch's second consecutive win and seventh of the year. The four-year-old gelding is trained by Marc-Andre Simoneau, co-owned by him and Jean Fontaine, and he paid $2.20 to win.

Track Notes: Pascal Berube had a stellar day, winning four times on the card, marking the third occasion this year he has achieved that feat. Both Stephane Brosseau and Simon Delisle secured driving doubles, while Marc-Andre Simoneau had a successful day with a training double. Next Sunday, September 8, H3R will host Super Sunday with the Quebec-Bred Championship Finals for two-and-three-year-olds: 3YO’s competing for $65,000 and 2YO’s for $55,000. Total purses for the event are expected to exceed $500,000, making it the richest racing day in Quebec this year. Live racing resumes on Friday, September 6, with a post time of 4:00 PM.