from the Quebec Jockey Club

Trois-Rivieres, QC — An all-age world record for harness racing pacers was re-written Wednesday night (July 22) at the Hippodrome 3R when Aaron’s Mattjesty and driver Denis St. Pierre won the eighth race at a distance of two miles in 4:03.4.

The previous world record was set at Cal Expo in California by Carl’s Future (Luis Pena) in 4:04.2 back in 2006 according to the United States Trotting Association.

Photodesk.ca photo

Aaron’s Mattjesty and Denis St. Pierre set a world record at 3R for a two mile race.

“This is great news,” said driver Denis St. Pierre. “I had no idea that we set the world record last night. Aaron’s Mattjesty is a great horse and worthy of this honor.”

The eighth race began with St. Pierre and Aaron’s Mattjesty going to the early lead. They were challenged right away by OK Diablo (Stephane Brosseau) but were stuffed into the two hole by Aaron’s Mattjesty to the first quarter in :30.1.

Aaron’s Mattjesty then led the field past the half-mile in 1:03.4, but was again challenged, this time by Brussebeach and driver Louis Philippe-Roy at the three-quarters in 1:35.2.

Brussebeach got within a head of collaring Aaron’s Mattjesty, but thought better and dropped into the two-hole. That challenge fired up Aaron’s Mattjesty, who then held the field at bay and by the finish had opened up and made the race a romp, winning by an impressive 7-3/4 lengths.

“He is just such a nice horse,” St. Pierre said of Aaron’s Mattjesty. “For this kind of race you want to try soft opening quarters. But the other horse challenged us early and I was lucky to back it down a little after the first fast quarter-mile.

“Then by the three-quarter mile Roy came after the lead with Brussebeach and I know I cannot let him get by me so I shake the lines and pull a little on the bit and he (Aaron’s Mattjesty) took hold as I pulled the (ear) plugs on him. You have to try and not get them too excited early, but after that challenge my horse was so strong, all the way to the finish.”

Trained by Daniel LaFlamme, owned by Francois Morin and bred by Craig Turner, it was the third straight win and fourth victory in his last five starts for Aaron’s Mattjesty. The 8-year-old gelded son of Royal Mattjesty paid $3.30 to win as the betting favorite.