HP Felicity shines in Future Stars Series

It took five starts for HP Felicity to get the goose-egg off her back as the well-bred two-year-old trotting filly was an easy winner in her $10,000 division of the Future Stars Series at the Hippodrome 3R Friday afternoon.

Competing against eight rivals including undefeated Stella Alphia, driver Jocelyn Gendron went right to the front in the fourth race co-feature. Also leaving from post seven was Stella Alpha (Pascal Berube) and they were content with the two-hole trip to the opening quarter mile in :29.2.

Easing off a little at the half, HP Felicity led in 1:00.1 with Stella Alpha still in contention but the rest of the field was gapping the two leaders.

Those two opened up on the rest of the field in the backstretch by 13 lengths, going to the three-quarters in 1:31.1. It was then that Stella Alpha began to lag and HP Felicity and Gendron were still full of trot, coming on in the stretch to win by four lengths in 2:01.2. Stella Alpha was second with Cleveland Moneyka (Stephane Brosseau) third.

Sired by Muscle Mass from the great mare Canaco Runner (Promising Catch), it was the maiden victory for HP Felicity, who is trained by Jean Tourigny and was bred and is co-owned by Claude Hamel of Ayer’s Cliff and Michel Damphousse of Louisville. She paid $2.60 to win as the favorite and now has earnings this year of $38,180.

Royalty Beer romped to a six and one-quarter length triumph in the $10,000 colt division of the Future Stars Series.

With trainer-driver Kevin Maguire in the sulky in the second race, Royalty Beer started off the second race co-feature for two-year-old trotting colts like he was shot out of a cannon, leading by six lengths at the opening quarter mile in :30.1.

Maguire backed down the pace considerably, going to the half mile in 1:03.1. Then as the field started to close in, Royalty Beer kicked in another gear, leading by seven lengths at the three-quarters in 1:33.4. He then breezed home to win in 2:05. Stablemate Cleveland Massimo (Jean Maguire) was second with Kenogami Rebel (Stephane Brosseau) third.

Sired by Royalty For Life, it was the second straight win in the series for Royalty Beer. He was bred and is owned by the Maguire Stable of Sainte-Marie and paid $2.30 to win as the overwhelming favorite.

Track Notes: Pascal Berube added to his leading driver win total Friday with four winners on the day. Stephane Brosseau had a driving double. On Sunday (post time 12:10 pm) will be the second round of the Future Stars Series for two-year-old pacers. There are three divisions, two for the colts and one for the fillies. Three-time O’Brien award winning driver, Louis-Philippe Roy, is scheduled to drive Sunday. For a free race program, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.