by Laurent Sauve for the Quebec Jockey Club

Trois-Rivieres, QC — Perhaps it was returning to his home track at the Hippodrome 3R, perhaps it was drawing an inside post on a half mile track, perhaps it was competing against an easier field of competition, but any way it does not matter to Atomic Million AM as long as he got that goose-egg off the win column.

Entering the tenth race at 3R Sunday (May 15) on a five-race losing streak, owner/trainer Alain Martin of Gatineau, Quebec was worried that his champion pacer may have lost his winning ways, but after the race was finished, Martin had nothing to worry about anymore.

photodesk.ca photo

Atomic Million Am wins with ease at Hippodrome 3R on Sunday (May 15).

Driven by Sylvain Lacaille, Atomic Million Am started from post three but once the starting gate pulled away, the 5-year-old gelded son of Million Dollar Cam was on the lead for good in the one mile race.

To the opening quarter mile in :28 over a track rated good after earlier rains and with a two second allowance, Atomic Million AM stuffed SOS Mach Extreme (Stephane Brosseau) into the pocket seat and led the field past the half mile in :59 and the three-quarters in 1:29.1.

On the final turn for home, Brosseau came after the race leaders but it was too little too late as Atomic Million AM kicked in a :29.1 last quarter mile to win by an easy 2-1/2 lengths in 1:58.2. SOS Mach Extreme was second with D J Power (Pierre Luc Roy) third.

It was the fastest mile on the afternoon program as Atomic Million AM was sent off as the overwhelming 1-5 wagering favorite, paying $2.40 to win.

Now Atomic Million AM seems poised to stay at the Hippodrome 3R for the upcoming Quebec-bred Series for 4 and 5-year-olds. He won the championship last year, setting a track record in 1:52.3 and also won the championship at age three.

The series gets underway next Sunday (May 22) with the first of four $6,500 preliminary rounds. The top eight point earners then return on Sunday (June 26) for the $30,000 final. If his performance Sunday (May 15) is any indication that Atomic Million AM is happy to be back at the Hippodrome 3R, then a third straight championship is well within his grasp.

For more information, visit www.quebecjockeyclub.com.