Only For Justice, Celia Bayama too tough at H3R
At 0h24, on June 22, 2024 • By STEVE WOLF, Quebec Jockey Club
For the second straight week, Only For Justice (Justice Hall) and driver Francis Picard proved they are the best trotting duo at the Hippodrome 3R (H3R), this time with a resounding triumph in the $8,500 feature Friday for Quebec-bred older trotters.
The 6th race saw Orly’s Pride (Robert Shepherd) trot away from the starting gate to take early command of the race and lead the field to the first quarter in :30.1. Sitting the two-hole was Frido PV (Pascal Berube) after That’s Hooligan (Marie-Claude Auger) made a costly break trying to brush to the lead.
Moving to the half mile in :59.4, Orlys Pride was comfortable on the lead, but coming first-over was the 1/5 race favorite Only For Justice. Tried as they might, Orlys Pride parked out Only For Justice until the three-quarters was reached in 1:29.2 as Only For Justice cleared to the lead going into the final turn.
With a two length advantage, Only For Justice kept it going down the stretch, winning by three lengths in 1:59. Orlys Pride was second with Frido PV third.
It was the second win in four starts this year for Only For Justice. The eight-year-old gelding is trained by Linda Belanger for Ecurie Gaetan Bono, Inc. of Laval, Que. and paid $2.70 to win.
In the 3rd race feature pace for fillies and mares, it was all Celia Bayama (Bettors Delight) and driver Stephane Brosseau for the second week in a row.
Last week Celia Bayama and Brosseau wired the field in 1:57.3 by two and three-quarter lengths, this week the margin was bigger and the time of the race was faster.
Leaving from post five, 1/9 race favorite Celia Bayama held the field at bay from the very starts, leading by two lengths to the opening quarter in :28.4, the half mile in :59.1 and three-quarters in 1:28.
Once on the final turn, Brosseau let Celia Bayama have her head and she tore away down the stretch to win by four and one-quarter lengths in 1:56.3. Jimbelina (Marie-Claude Auger) was second with Shanghaibluebeach (Robert Shepherd) third.
Trained by Jack Reid, Celia Bayama, a six-year-old mare, is co-owned by Jack Reid with Marie-Claude Reid and Mario Menard. She paid $2.30 to win.
Track Notes: Stephane Brosseau had a driving double and Serge Nadeau a training double. The Quebec Regional Fair Circuit gets underway Saturday afternoon (June 22) at St-Joseph de Lepage starting at 1:00 pm. Making a surprise visit and driving in some of the fair races will be three-time O’Brien award winner, Louis-Philippe Roy. Live racing resumes on Sunday (June 23) with first race post time at 12:00 noon.
