from the Quebec Jockey Club

Trois-Rivieres, PQ — Half A Billion was nearly upended by the lone mare in the race, HP Sissy, in a classic finish in Sunday’s (June 18) Invitational Pace at the Hippodrome 3R. While Half A Billion did post his fifth straight win and seventh triumph of the season, the 5-year-old gelded son of Sportswriter had to really work the final quarter-mile to beat HP Sissy.

thephotodesk.ca photo

Half A Billion wears down the mare HP Sissy for his fifth straight win.

HP Sissy and driver Stephane Brosseau left sharply from post two to begin the eighth race feature and took command before the opening quarter-mile in :27.4 with Art Again (Stephane Gendron) sitting the pocket trip. Then as they passed the half-mile marker with a breather in :57, HP Sissy was still on top as Bali (Marie Claude Auger) came first-over, giving the 1-9 overwhelming favorite, Half A Billion and driver Pierre-Luc Roy, great second-over cover.

It was down the backstretch that Roy sent Half A Billion three-wide, moving into second place alongside HP Sissy at the three-quarters in 1:25.1. But HP Sissy was not giving up an inch to Half A Billion, using the inside position to gain an advantage on the final turn and starting down the stretch. But Half A Billion and Roy proved to be too much in deep stretch, collaring HP Sissy and Brosseau in the final strides to the wire, winning by a three-quarters of a length in 1:54. Bali was third.

Trained by Francis Richard for co-owners Michel & Francois Letarte, Jean Allaire and Corey Giles, Half A Billion paid $2.20 to win.

“I was worried,” Trainer Francis Richard said after the race. “She (HP Sissy) raced iron tough. I knew Roy had to go three-wide when he did but HP Sissy was strong right to the finish.”

Track Notes: Both Mario Lachance and Stephane Brosseau led all drivers with three winners on the program. The racetrack showed it was super-fast in the very first race when Sports Authority (Pierre-Luc-Roy) stopped the teletimer in 1:54.4. In second place was a game National Debt (Stephane Gendron) by a half-length in its first start for new trainer Yves Tessier. Mr Mach On Beach (Stephane Brosseau) then won the fourth race and C L Sportaction (Mario Lachance), won the sixth race, both timed in 1:55.4.

On Saturday, driver David Pilon had the hot hands at the H3R qualifying races, driving in four events and winning each one of them, the fastest a nose triumph with Royal Kee Wee N in 1:57.3.

Live racing resumes Tuesday evening, first race post time at 7 p.m. For more information visit, www.quebecjockeyclub.com.