by Steve Wolf, for the Quebec Jockey Club

Trois-Rivieres, QC — This Sunday (Sept. 13) eight 2-year-old pacing fillies will battle it out at the Hippodrome 3R in the annual Lucien Bombardier Stakes, going for a purse of C$35,200.

One of the pioneers of horse racing in Canada, but especially Quebec, Lucien Bombardier devoted his entire life to the industry. Born and raised near Bedford, QC, Bombardier retired in 1992 after 16 years on the board of directors of the Canadian Standardbred Horse Society.

The following year, at age 86, Bombardier became the first honorary director of the CSHS. His appointment by the board of directors in January 1993 was in recognition of achievement and contribution to the Society and the Standardbred industry.

Bombardier was also honored in 1985 when he was recognized for his life-long devotion to the industry when he was the recipient of the Society’s General Achievement Award for his excellence, leadership and contribution to the breeding industry and by his election into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame the following year.

Bombardier started training and driving harness horses at agricultural fair meetings in Quebec at an early age. In the early 1940s he left a business career to open a large racing stable at Richelieu Park in Montreal and in 1953 he accepted an executive position with Blue Bonnets.

During 25 years in racetrack management he played a role in developing many changes and innovations that helped make harness racing a major sport industry and earned him an enviable reputation on both sides of the border. He also served as a director of Harness Tracks of America and the Canadian Trotting Association.

At age 68 Bombardier retired from Blue Bonnets and embarked upon a new career when he became an executive with Angus Farms in Bedford, QC, one of the province’s most successful breeding establishments.

Bombardier died in 1995 and was honored each year at Hippodrome de Montreal with the running of the Lucien Bombardier Stakes for 2-year-old pacing fillies.

With sponsorship from Standardbred Canada and the Quebec Jockey Club, the Hippodrome 3R revived the stakes race in 2011.

This year’s stakes event features Miss Babe Delight, who last week put in her best performance of the year with a one length triumph in the $41,250 Quebec-Bred Series final at 3R.

With Mario Ballargeon in the sulky, the daughter of Bettor’s Delight was given a perfect two-hole trip and came on to win in a lifetime best 1:58.2 clocking. Unraced at age 2, Miss Babe Delight has made up for lost time with earnings this year of $36,951 for trainer Dany Fontaine and owner Ecurie Gaetan Bono, Inc.

Miss Babe Delight is the morning line favorite and starts from post three.

The Jean Tourgny trainer entry of HP Mercedes and HP Sissy will be out for revenge against Miss Babe Delight as they finished second and third in last week’s series finale.

HP Sissy is the stronger of the two fillies and has been first or second in four of her last five starts. Two starts back she beat Miss Babe Delight, but the tables were turned last week. HP Sissy will start from post four for driver Guy Gagnon.

HP Mercedes will start from post two for driver Louis Phillipe Roy and the entry are second choice in the race.

Two newcomers to 3R will also add to the well balanced field. They are Casimir Pucker Up and Bad In Paradise.

Casimir Pucker Up comes to 3R on a three-race winning streak and starts from post five for driver Denis St Pierre. This daughter of Astronomical has been racing well on the front end and took her record of 1:57.1 at Georgian Downs.

Bad In Paradise is the fastest filly in the field with a record of 1:54.3 at Mohawk this season but is saddled with starting from post seven for driver Marc Belanger.

Completing the field are recent winners Art De Gagnee (post one), SOS Bambie (post six) and Jimbelina (post eight).

Post time Sunday is 1:30 p.m. For more information visit www.quebecjockeyclub.com.