from the Quebec Jockey Club

Trois-Rivieres, QC — Oh what a difference a year can make. That’s the tune that harness racing trainer Jean Tourigny is humming these days since his trotting mare, HP Run Like Mom, is unbeaten in three starts this year. She goes for her fourth straight win on Sunday (May 20) at the Hippodrome 3R.

The 4-year-old mare by Kadabra from the Promising Catch mare Canaco Runner, is co-owned by Claude Hamel and Michel Damphousse and was bred by Hamel with Lapharmaciedekedgwick Inc.

Barry Robert photo

HP Run Like Mom is trotting right for Jean Tourigny.

A five-time winner last year at age three, HP Run Like Mom was headed into the $52,650 final of the Breeders Cup as the morning line betting favorite, looking to cap off a pretty good season.

That did not happen.

In fact the mare broke stride from post eight and was unable to rebound. Then the following week she broke again in a qualifying race, then stayed trotting in the next qualifying race, but that was it, HP Run Like Mom was to be turned out for next season.

“She lost confidence after going to Toronto to race,” said Tourigny. “She disappointed me at Mohawk. I thought she would be able to trot a mile in 1:54.”

Before HP Run Like Mom went to Mohawk Raceway, her last start was a 25-1/2 length romp in the Breeders Cup third leg at H3R and she scored a lifetime best 1:59.4 triumph.

“Now she is four years old and has really matured,” Tourigny explained. “We go week by week with her and we let her decide how fast she wants to go. She is now building up confidence from week to week.”

Last week was perhaps HP Run Like Mom’s best win of the season. With Stephane Brosseau, her regular driver, last week she came after the race leader at the half, took command of the lead and held the field at bay in scoring a 2:01.1 triumph.

“My father Leo and I,” Tourigny added, “trained and raced her mother (Canaco Runner 1:54.4s, $443,545) and it makes for me a challenge more to have the honor to take care of her foals; that Claude Hamel, Celine Paquin and Michel Damphousse have given me this great opportunity.

“I have three teams that help with the care and racing of the horses. We have 16 horses in the stable now. Barry Robert and Jules Girard are the main caretakers. Then there is myself, Trudel Rolland, and my dad doing the training and my paddock team at the track are Yves Corbin and his daughter Clare.

“I must give credit to my dad. He comes every morning to train. He is going to be 79 soon. I am so happy to have these great people working with me and, of course, all the owners who have put their trust in me. Without Michel Damphousse, Claude Hamel and Celine Paquin, Rolland Trudel, Brian Paquette, and Steve Garceau, I would be nothing.”

Tourigny is also excited that his top pacing mare, HP Sissy, is coming back to the stable this weekend to begin prepping for the Quebec-Bred Series at the Hippodrome 3R. She was a prior champion at H3R and went on to race in Toronto and then New York, winning $229,390 with a record of 1:52.1h.

HP Run Like Mom is not the morning line favorite in the sixth race trot on Sunday at H3R. She will be tested Sunday, having to start from the far outside in post eight. The honor of being the morning line favorite goes to another good mare named Lucky Promesses from post four for owner, breeder and driver, Jerome Lombart. This is just the second start this year for the 5-year-old mare by Lucky Fool. Last year was her best season ever as she was the winningest horse to race at H3R. She closed out the season with 10 wins for trainer Andreane Lapierre, taking a record of 1:58.2 at Rideau Carleton.

Other contenders in the race include KFB Amigo Cool (post two), EAU Naturelle (post five) and Abundasass (post three).

Track Notes: Defending H3R leading driver, Stephane Brosseau, is off to the best start of his career, winning 12 of the 29 races (41 percent) held so far at the Hippodrome 3R. His record is 25-12-4-3 and his UDR is an amazing .596. He will be driving in the first eight races at H3R Sunday before heading over to Rideau Carleton.

For a free race program for Sunday, visit www.quebecjockeyclub.com. First race post time Sunday is 12:50 p.m.