Trois-Rivieres, QC — Mother Nature was not cooperative at all Sunday (Nov. 25) for closing day of the 2018 harness racing meet at the Hippodrome 3R. In fact, it was downright miserable through the entire card as the rains caused the start of the races to be delayed as the track was scraped.

The foul weather did not hamper Canada’s leading driver, Louis-Philippe Roy from having a great day as he won four of the ten races on the card.

The seventh race Preferred Pace saw D J Power and driver Pierre Luc Roy, a 9-1 long shot, take on his younger brother, Louis Philippe Roy with Hooter Shooter.

D J Power was first on the lead after the starting gate pulled away. Driver Francis Picard left from the outside with Rainbow Palace to grab the two-hole spot with Hooter Shooter getting away in third place.

After they went the opening quarter mile in :30.4, Roy came first-over with Hooter Scooter and looked to take the lead, but brother Pierre Luc Roy had other ideas and parked out his brother to the half mile in 1:01.4.

Down the backstretch, Hooter Scooter stayed game on the outside past the three-quarters in 1:32.1 and D J Power was not giving up an inch.

On the final turn it looked as if Hooter Scooter had had enough, but once in the stretch he came back again but could not catch D J Power who won by one length in 2:02.2. Hooter Scooter was second with Rainbow Palace third.

It was the 10th win of the season for D J Power, a 7-year-old gelding by Major In Art. He is owned and trained by Jean Marc Roy of Mont-Joli and paid $21.90 to win.

The eighth race Preferred Trot saw EAU Naturelle and driver Simon Delisle grab the early lead, held it until the opening quarter-mile as Dance Hall George came first up for driver Francis Picard. They cleared to the front after the half-mile marker.

Dance Hall George and Picard then led the field until the three-quarters when Delisle came back on the outside with EAU Naturelle and those two battled neck and neck around the final turn and down the stretch with EAU Naturelle winning by a half length in 2:08.1. Dance Hall George was second with Capteur De Reve (Pierre Luc Roy) third.

Also trained by Simon Delisle, it was the seventh win this year for EAU Naturelle. The 5-year-old mare by Windsong Espoir is owned by Chantal Auger, Raymond Bouffard, Rejean Page and Anne Delisle. She paid $12.30 to win.

For the second straight year, Stephane Brosseau captured the leading drivers title with 50 wins. Pascal Berube was second with 45 wins.

Also winning the training title for the second straight year is Francis Richard. He also led early on this season and finished out the race season with 27 winners from his stable. His nearest rival was Maxime Velaye with 17 wins.

There was a special winner’s circle retirement ceremony for the 14-year-old pacer Windham Hanover. The son of Mach Three had a record of 1:54 and career earnings of $254,019. All Standardbred race horses must retire from racing when they turn age 15.

Track notes: Closing day was also the second day of “whipless” racing. Both Francis Richard and Nathalie Migneault had training doubles. The Hippodrome 3R and its Off-Track-Betting parlors throughout Quebec, will be open seven days a week featuring simulcasting of the best in harness and thoroughbred racing. Visit www.quebecjockeyclub.com for more information.