The Big Celebration for Aged Horses
At 3h17, on July 4, 2026 • By Laurent Sauvé
Four-year-olds and older pacers and trotters will take center stage at Hippodrome Trois-Rivières on Sunday, July 5, for the Quebec Series Finals, following the elimination divisions contested over the past several weeks.
If the weather forecast is any indication, the competition will be as hot as the temperature. The mercury is expected to reach 26°C (79°F), with a humidex of 30°C (86°F).
The first championship event will be Race 4, featuring the trotting mares. As in the eliminations, Chic Choc Rose and MVPS Daughter are expected to battle right down to the wire for divisional supremacy. Chic Choc Rose captured two elimination legs, including last week’s in 1:59.2, while MVPS Daughter will attempt to defend the title she earned in last year’s final.
In the pacing mares final, all eyes will be on trainer Lynn Asselin’s coupled entry, especially Godiva Shadow Girl, who won last Sunday’s elimination in 1:56.4. The daughter of Shadow Play had also scored an impressive victory in the opening elimination with a 1:57.3 mile. Morning-line favorite Silver Majesty recorded a 1:53.3 victory earlier this year at Woodbine Mohawk Park. She will leave from post one with Denis St-Pierre in the sulky.
Race 8 will feature the trotters, where trainer Kevin Maguire’s coupled entry appears to hold the edge over the rest of the field. Both the undefeated Paradise Moni and Royalty Beer, who posted a 1:57.2 mile on June 11, have legitimate chances to claim the title. The 2025 series champion, Paradise Moni has become known for overcoming sizeable deficits before unleashing explosive closing quarters in twenty-nine and change. It remains to be seen whether driver Denis St-Pierre will employ the same strategy this week. Last Try and Mass Speed round out the morning-line contenders.
The featured event of the afternoon will be the penultimate race, with the pacers taking center stage. Much of the spotlight will shine on Boomboom Tonight, and for good reason. The son of Sportswriter etched his name into this season’s history at Hippodrome Trois-Rivières by establishing a lifetime mark of 1:54.3, but his greatest achievement is simply making it back to the races. After spending more than a year on the sidelines recovering from a serious injury, he returned this season thanks to the meticulous care of trainer Élisabeth Pothier. However, Bets Beach cannot be overlooked. He has proven himself in the past, and the race’s early tempo could play a decisive role. Kingston Panic is another contender to keep an eye on in what promises to be an exciting contest.
The first major event of the season at Hippodrome Trois-Rivières gets underway at noon. Determination, intensity and excitement will all be on display. Be there and experience the action!
