from the Quebec Jockey Club

Trois-Rivieres, QC — Two freshman trotters, Panama’s Boy and Tuscans Memory, locked horns once again at the Hippodrome 3R Wednesday (Aug. 19) in the second round of the C$200,000 Quebec-Bred Series for colts. This time around Panama’s Boy emerged the winner.

Last week it was Tuscans Memory’s turn to shine but racing strategy changed drastically Wednesday night.

Photodesk.ca photo

Panama’s Boy held off Tuscans Memory to win by three-quarters of a length.

The fourth race second division of the series saw SOS Chico and driver Jocelyn Gendron shoot out to the lead from the outside seven post with Panama’s Boy (Stephane Brosseau) grabbing the pocket seat.

They flew to the opening quarter in a sharp :29.2. But flying on the outside first-over was KFB Amigo Cool with Guy Gagnon and they took command of the race to the half-mile in 1:01.2.

Then as Tuscans Memory and Pascal Berube started up first-over, KFB Amgo Cool went off-stride. SOS Chico then inherited the lead but a persistent Tuscans Memory kept up the challenge to the three-quarters in 1:32.4.

And all the while there was Brosseau and Panama’s Boy waiting patiently in third place on the rail.

On the final turn SOS Chico could not stand the pace and went off-stride and Brosseau was able to maintain his inside position, keeping Tuscans Memory parked out.

Those two then went stride-for-stride until the stretch drive when Panama’s Boy dug in and held off Tuscans Memory to win by three-quarters of a length in 2:02.4. EAU Naturelle (Mario Charron) was third.

It was the second win in four starts for Panama’s Boy. The son of Crazed is trained by Jacques DuPont for owner/breeder Gestion Levesque. He paid $5.20 to win.

The first race division of the series saw Sass and driver Clarke Steacy end his maiden status with a 2:03.1 victory from post eight.

Holiday Party (Pascal Berube) was stung early, getting the lead away from Red Monster (Guy Gagnon) by the opening quarter in a quick :29. Then Defi Normand (Peirre Bovay) came first-over and gave outside cover to Sass after the half-mile in 1:01.3.

In the backstretch Defi Normand collared Holiday Party and took the lead away before the three-quarters in 1:33.2. Sass was still strong on the outside with Red Monster lurking in the shadows.

Then in the stretch, Sass was the strongest horse, going on to win by 1-1/4 lengths with Defi Normand second and Red Monster third.

Trained by Mark Steacy, Sass is sired by Kadabra and was bred and is owned by Hudson Standardbred Stable. Sass paid $3.60 to win.

Prix D’Ete Notes: The post position draw for the C$200,000 Prix D’Ete takes place Thursday morning at a special media conference starting at 10:30 a.m. Already committed to the race are All Bets Off, Limelight Beach, Somewhere In L A, Big Boy Dreams, Boomboom Ballykeel and Winds Of Change. Sunday’s first race on the Prix D’Ete card goes off at 1:30 p.m.