Littlebitaswagger struts his stuff at the Hippodrome 3R

After racing just two days ago and finishing second in 1:56.2, one would think that Littlebitaswagger would either be tight or tired for the Preferred-Handicap Pace at the Hippodrome 3R on Sunday.

He was tight.

The ninth race co-feature saw Littlebitaswagger and driver Francis Picard leave from post two but also on the move from the start was Mickeymaksomespeed and driver Jonathan Lachance from the far outside in post eight.

Those two began to duke it out going to the opening quarter in :26.3 with Lachance backing off and dropping Mickeymaksomespeed into the two-hole.

Happy to be on the lead, Picard rated Littlebitaswagger as they went by the half mile in :56.4. Then it was Somewhere Bettor and driver Pascal Berube moving first-over from third place to challenge and nearly collar Littlebitaswagger past the three-quarters in 1:26.1.

Littlebitaswagger still has something left in the tank and Picard used it in the stretch as they won by two lengths in 1:55.3. Somewhere Bettor held for second with Veneno (Stephane Brosseau) grabbing the third-place check.

It was the third win this year for Littlebitaswagger. The nine-year-old gelding by Santanna Blue Chip is owned and trained by Charles Gaudreault of Mont-Joli and paid $10.90 to win.

The fifth race Preferred-Handicap Trot saw a very determined Bucketlist Hanover and driver Samuel Fillion briefly sit a pocket trip behind early leader Fierce Magic (Simon Delisle). Then before the opening quarter mile in :28, Fillion pulled on the right line and Bucketlist Hanover shot right to the lead.

From there Bucketlist Hanover cut fractions of :57.2 and 1:27.3 before showing some back class for Fillion as they pulled away from the field to win by three and one-half lengths in 1:57.3. Fierce Magic was second with Frido PV (Yves St Jacques) third.

It was the first win in eleven starts this year for Bucketlist Hanover, an eight-year-old gelded son of Cantab Hall. He is trained by Gilles Boucher for owner Paul Lehoux of Sainte-Marie. The 4/5 race favorite paid $3.70 to win.

It took until the seventh race Preferred-Handicap Pace for the mares for driver Louis-Philippe Roy to win his first race of the afternoon. Last week he scored five wins at H3R.

Leaving from post two, Y C Easy and LPR took early command and stuffed Sierras Rose (Marie-Claude Auger) into the two-hole, cruising to the first quarter mile in :28.3.

From there it was all Y C Easy as she cut fractions of :59.1 and 1:28.3 as Esprit Dequipe and driver Tyler Jones swept three-wide in the backstretch, looped the field and was now face-to-face with Y C Easy on the final turn.

As the two started down the stretch, Y C Easy was just too much for Esprit Dequipe, going on to win by one length in 1:57.3. Topsill Beach (David Pilon) closed to be third.

A six-year-old mare by Sportswriter, Y C Easy paid $3.90 to win. It was her second straight win in this class for owner and trainer, Carl Duguay, of Trois-Rivieres.

Track Notes: Pascal Berube was the only one to score a double Sunday, winning two races. Platine Alpha became the winningest horse at H3R this season, scoring her third straight win with a 1:58 clocking. Live racing resumes next week at H3R on Friday, June 4 with first race post time at 4:00 pm. For more information, visit www.hippodrome3r.ca.