This Sunday, May 19, at the Hippodrome 3R in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, is a classic head-to-head clash between three of the top harness racing pacers of the season thus far.
Nine horses are registered in the full field for the 10th event, which is sponsored by Preferred Pace. Marie-Claude Auger and Uncontrollable (Control The Moment) are the race favourites.
Starting from post five, the six-year-old gelding was actually under control for Auger last week, leading Thedoginthefight by three-quarters of a length from start to finish in 1:57.1.
Uncontrollable is aiming for his third victory of the year and is trained by Louis Philippe Turcotte for owners Steve Perreault and Johanne Dechamplain, both of Mont-Joli, Québec.
“He’s a good horse,” Turcotte noted. “I also respect his opponents, several of whom are very fast. Currently, Uncontrollable and three of its rivals are considered ‘favourites’ and we were lucky in the draw. Uncontrollable is a good warrior,” Turcotte stated. “He is only six years old, but he has gone into battle several times. I would say that he is not a ‘new’ horse, that like others he requires certain care, but he gives himself when it counts.”
Jocelyn Gendron, the driver, starts from post six for Thedoginthefight (Sweet Lou). Gendron chose Thedoginthefield (post 9) over the undefeated Greystone Watchman, having his pick of horses in the race.
Thedoginthefight had won the Preferred class opening day at H3R before finishing in second place against Uncontrollable.
Denis St. Pierre will drive the unbeaten Greystone Watchman (Hes Watching), who is going for his third consecutive victory from post 9. In each of his victories, the six-year-old gelding has been able to wire the field; last week, he did so in 1:58.1.
In addition, Born A Rebel (post 7), GA Speed Gaby (post 4), and Brodys Scrapper (post 2), a Rideau Carleton invader, are formidable rivals in this event.
In the eighth race, where La Bromontoise (Angus Hall) blasted up the tote board last week at odds of 43-1 for Bromont's owner, breeder, trainer, and driver Jerome Lombart, the trotters are also on exhibit. They tied his lifetime mark in 2:00.2 after taking the lead the entire way.
Starting at post seven, La Bromontoise will see fierce opposition from Timonier (post 5) and Lorenzo (post 3).