from the Quebec Jockey Club

Trois-Rivieres, PQ — Who says you can’t strike it rich on a $2 harness racing wager? Those who backed Niceandup in the seventh race pace at Hippodrome 3R on Sunday (May 18) were believers as the 5-year-old mare was the longest shot on the toteboard and won at odds of 61-1, paying $125.80 to win.

Niceandup was competing in one of eight C$6,500 divisions of the Quebec-bred series for 4- and 5-year-olds. She was driven to victory by Steven Genois and was racing in fourth place the entire mile and was able to outkick the competition in the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:57.2. Shanghai Mimi (Marcel Barrieau), the betting favorite, was second with Ulla Bayama (Denis St. Peirre) third.

It was the first win of 2014 in six starts and a lifetime mark for the daughter of Ontheupandup who was bred and is owned and trained by Guy Boulianne.

The Quebec-bred series continues for the next two weeks with preliminary rounds and then on Sunday (June 8) the top eight point earners in each division will return for a C$35,000 final in each class.

There were two divisions each on Sunday for trotters and pacers, mares and horses.

The second race first division for pacing mares saw Lady Valentine and driver Sylvain Lacaille lead from start to finish in 1:58.1. Paying a generous $7.00 to win for trainer Chantel Mitchell and owners Yves Rondeau and Robert Vinet, it was the third win this season for the 4-year-old mare by Jereme’s Jet. Racey Miss was second with Impressive Daly third.

Track record holder Duc Dorleans provided the fastest mile of the Quebec-bred series on Sunday as he demolished a field of six rivals, leading from start to finish in 1:54 by 1-3/4 lengths. It was his second win in three outings at Hippodrome 3R. Driven by Frances Picard, Duc Dorleans paid $4.10 to win as he was not the wagering favorite. That honor went to McKinney, who sat a pocket trip but could only muster a second place finish. Histoire Eternelle was third. A 4-year-old gelding by Shanghai Phil, Duc Dorleans is trained by Jacques Dupont and is owned by Gestion Levesque.

The first division for older pacing horses also saw the winner lead from the start but they did not fly as fast as Duc Dorleans. The Real One was the wagering favorite among the fans and with driver Rheo Filion they made full use of the rail and won by a half- length over Si Semalu and SOS Grappa in 2:00.1. Trained and owned by Helene Filion, it was the first win in five starts this year for the 4-year-old gelding by Mach Three.

Decret Justiciale had little trouble leading from start to finish in the Quebec-bred series for older trotting horses as he won with ease by 2-3/4 lengths in 2:00.4. Driven by his trainer, Denis Filion, it was the first start this year for the 5-year-old gelding by Justice Hall. He is owned by Danielle Levac and paid $3.70 to win.

In the second division, Caroluzzo and driver Jocelyn Gendron came first-over against pacesetter SOS Robocop and despite barely getting a head up in front at the three-quarter pole, was still able to out trot everyone to the wire to win by a half-length in 2:02.1. Ken P V was second with SOS Robocop third. The 5-year-old stallion by Musclesextrodinar is trained by Dan Martin for owner Michael Cote and won for the first time in four starts this year. He paid $2.80 as the wagering favorite.

The first division for older trotting mares saw Canbec Kangourou wire the field by 1-1/4 lengths in 2:01.2 over Ocean Mist Beauty and Sexy P V. Driven by Jocelyn St. Jaques, it was a lifetime mark for the 4-year-old mare by Amigo Hall. She is co-owned by Daniel Martin and Michel Damphousse.

Also leading from start to finish in the other older trotting mare division was La Neuvilloise and driver Stephen Gendron. They won by 2-3/4 lengths in 2:04 as the betting favorite, paying $3.50 to win. Mathers Promising was second with Uliane Bayama third. It was the first win in two starts for the 5-year-old mare by Capote Hall. She was bred and is owned and trained by Noel Ferland.