On Sunday, August 25, Hippodrome 3R (H3R) hosted five divisions of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old Quebec-bred pacers and trotters. This marked the third and final preliminary round of the series. The top eight point earners from each division will qualify for Super Sunday on September 8, competing for four finals each worth $55,000.
The fastest division was the 7th race, a $10,000 pacing event for two-year-old colts. It featured three lead changes early on, with Changement Detemps (driven by Stephane Brosseau) taking an early lead while the favorite, The Magic Moment (Control The Moment) with Jonathan Lachance, settled into the pocket at a brisk :29.4 for the first quarter. HP Bellissimo (Robert Shepherd) then made a strong first-over bid to take command. However, The Magic Moment surged forward just after the half in :59.3, clearing to the front during the backstretch before reaching three-quarters in 1:29.3. No other competitors could catch him, and he secured victory by two lengths with a time of 1:59.3, beating HP Bellissimo and Kos Im Doc (Marie-Claude Auger). This was The Magic Moment's second win of the season, and he set a lifetime record. He is trained by Francis Guillemette for Gestion A & a Belander, Inc., who also bred the colt.
In the 5th race, the second $7,500 division for pacing fillies saw Silver Majesty (All Bets Off) and driver Denis St Pierre take the lead from HP Top Modele (Stephane Brosseau), only for race favourite Justine Ray (Pascal Berube) to overtake them after a :29 first quarter. Justine Ray maintained her lead, reaching the half in 1:00 and three-quarters in 1:30.4, with a three-length advantage heading into the final turn. However, in a thrilling stretch duel, Silver Majesty caught up and won by a head in 2:00, marking her third consecutive win and new lifetime record. She is trained by Jean-Francois Maguire and was claimed by $4.60.
In the first $7,500 division for two-year-old pacing fillies of the 3rd race, Mirabel Enfete (Leader Bayama) and driver Stephane Brosseau led from start to finish, winning comfortably by two and one-quarter lengths in 2:00.3. Myvaliam (William Roy) finished second, with Wild River Raccoon (David Pilon) taking third. This was Mirabel Enfete's maiden victory in her third-lifetime start, trained by Maxime Velaye for breeder-owner Guy Corbeil of Mirabel, Que.
The trotters competed in two $10,000 divisions of the Future Stars Series, with the colts racing first in the 9th race. While there were some early breakers, Mass Speed (Muscle Mass) and driver Denis St Pierre managed to take the early lead. He maintained control throughout the mile, finishing four and three-quarter lengths ahead in 2:03.3. Muscle Du Haras (Marie-Claude Auger) finished second, followed by Silver Porsche (Guy Gagnon). This victory marked Mass Speed's second win in just four starts, and he was bred, owned, and trained by Michel Allard, paying $7.80 to win.
In the 11th race, the $10,000 division for trotting fillies saw Chic Choc Rose (Marie-Claude Auger) have her unbeaten streak of three wins halted by Miche Charm (Muscle Mass) and driver Guy Gagnon. Miche Charm took the lead from post two, with Chic Choc Rose sitting comfortably in second until the top of the stretch. As they entered the stretch, Chic Choc Rose attempted to gain ground but fell short, and Miche Charm crossed the finish line first by two lengths in 2:04.4. Chic Choc Rose secured second place, with Soleo (Stephane Brosseau) finishing third. Miche Charm now boasts two wins in four starts, trained by Jeremy Marcotte and owned by Denis & Jeremy Marcotte, and she paid $9.80 to win.
Track Notes: Driver Denis St Pierre was the standout, achieving a triple with two wins in the series. Francis Picard, Stephane Brosseau, and William Roy each had two wins, while Maxime Velaye celebrated a training double. The Quebec Regional Fair Circuit held races at Ayer’s Cliff on Saturday, where David Pilon secured a driver-trainer triple. Live racing will resume at H3R next Friday afternoon, with the first post scheduled for 4:00 PM.