from the Quebec Jockey Club

Trois-Rivieres, PQ — In a stunning first-over challenge against Four Starz Speed, Jamigo, a 10-1 long shot, was able to grind it out and post an upset victory to win the Invitational Trot at the Hippodrome 3R Sunday (Sept. 24).

The eighth race feature got underway with Dance Hall George (Gaetan Lamy) shooting to the early lead with R Rkdabra (Pascal Berube) right on their back. Then by the opening quarter mile in :28.2, trainer/driver Kevin Maguire had the veteran 12-year-old Four Starz Speed on the move and brushing to the lead.

thephotodeskca. photo

Jamigo upsets at odds of 10-1 at H3R.

After backing down the pace slightly going to the half-mile in :59, Four Starz Speed was challenged first-over by Jamigo and driver Daniel Laflamme. And as the field entered the backstretch, Laflamme rated Jamigo on the outside, just a neck shy of collaring race leader Four Starz Speed. Tuscans Memory (Mario Charron) was following the outside flow of Jamigo to stay in contention.

Then, with a bold three-wide move going to the three-quarters, KFB Amigo Cool and driver Stephane Brosseau entered the fray with all three horses just heads apart at the three-quarters in 1:29.3.

Around the final turn and still stuck three-wide, KFB Amigo Cool could not keep up with the race leaders and as they came down the stretch, Jamigo was able to dig deep and show true grit as he not only collared Four Starz Speed, but beat him to the wire for LaFlamme, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:59.4. Tuscans Memory was third.

For Jamigo, a 9-year-old gelded son of Angus Hall, it was his seventh victory this year for owner/trainer Manon Lamothe of Terrebonne. Jamigo, who earlier this season has won three of four starts at the Hippodrome 3R, was returning to Quebec after racing in the U.S. He has won his last start at Pocono Downs in 1:57.2 before shipping home for Sunday’s Invitational Trot. Jamigo paid $22.70 to win.

Track Notes: The biggest upset on the day was in the ninth race pace. The 1-2 favorite, Matts Phil and driver Stephane Gendron tried leading from start to finish, but the pocket-sitting 22-1 Washington Hanover and driver Pascal Berube, waiting until the final turn to pull the pocket and catch Matts Phil at the wire, winning by a half-length in 1:57.2, paying $46.20 to win. It was also a driving double on the day for Pascal Berube. Also scoring driving doubles were Gaetan Lamy and Steeven Genios.

Live racing resumes at the Hippodrome 3R next Sunday with first race post time at 12:30 p,m.