Young Pacer Bernard Returns to Action
At 1h02, on May 29, 2026 • By Laurent Sauvé
After an outstanding 2025 season in which he turned heads with dazzling performances, the young pacer Bernard, now a 3-year-old, returns to action this Sunday, May 31, at Hippodrome Trois-Rivières, looking to remain unbeaten in seven lifetime starts.
Winner of last year’s Coupe de l’Avenir, the son of Sportswriter-Armand Spice sent a clear warning to his rivals that he has no intention of slowing down this season during his recent qualifying races on May 16 and 23. He stopped the clock in 1:58.4 and 1:57.1, respectively, each time by comfortable margins. But the most impressive aspect of those performances was his final half in :57 and change, proving beyond any doubt that he is ready to pick up right where he left off eight months ago.
Starting from post five with William Roy in the sulky, his main challengers this week appear to be HP Game On and Hound On The Beach, a six-year-old invader from the neighboring province.
In the eighth race on the card, a Preferred event for pacers, trainer Yves Tessier will send out Best Bets, who already owns two consecutive victories in 2026 over the local oval. Driven by Pascal Bérubé, he will have to overcome the outside post eight against rivals including Kingston Panic, who has done little wrong since returning to Trois-Rivières.
Sunday’s program gets underway at noon.
