from the Quebec Jockey Club

Trois-Rivieres, QC — Following the same as Yonkers Raceway, management at the Quebec Jockey Club has announced that they are removing the passing lane at the Hippodrome 3R for the 2018 harness racing season that gets underway on Sunday (April 29).

“We started looking at the wagering on Yonkers around the end of January after they did away with their passing lane,” said Murielle Thomassin, general manager at the Hippodrome 3R, “and we continued to look at their increasing numbers in February.

“Sometimes there is no need to re-invent the wheel. Of course, Yonkers did other changes that contributed to the rise in wagers, but this change was a no-brainer, we need to at least try it and see if our clients like it. The entire dynamic of the races will have to change. The strategies the drivers use will have to be much different and thought of. No more waiting in the hole until the passing lane to come out and steal the win.”

The passing lane was first installed at the Hippodrome 3R in the late 1980s. Track superintendent Sylvain Blais and his team has already begun working on restoring the old home stretch.

“We were able to locate the old lane in the stretch,” Thomassin said, “and it is still in the ground from 18 years ago. We just need better weather and soft grounds to complete the change.

“We had more snow Wednesday, but it melted and now it’s raining. Our fingers are crossed that Mother Nature cooperates this week and it looks like it will with warming temperatures and some sunshine to dry up the mess we have so we can do more work on the track.”

Thomassin said she has talked to various horsemen and when told about getting rid of the passing lane they have been very positive about it.

“They understand that we are trying to better the sport and race quality,” Thomassin added. “That additional purse money coming from the increase in wagering will mean purse increases in the future for them.”

There are new post times at the Hippodrome 3R this season. Sunday’s afternoon program will begin at 12:50 p.m. and the Tuesday evening racing will start at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.quebecjockeyclub.com.