The $38,500 Lucien Bombardier Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies was contested on Sunday (September 10) at Hippodrome 3R, and the Jacques Dupont-trained and Louis Philippe Roy-driven Azure Seelster put forth a dominant performance.
Roy bided his time early with Azure Seelster, as he allowed Lit De Rose (driven by Pierre Luc Roy) to go to the early lead. Azure Seelster was just a head off the lead when Lit De Rose clicked off the opening quarter in :27.4. From there, Azure Seelster brushed to the lead and the race was pretty much over.
Azure Seelster went on to post middle splits of :58 and 1:28.4 before drawing off to record a six-length win in 1:58.4.
Lit De Rose finished second. Post 1 starter DGs Shadowsbell (Jonathan Lachance) finished almost nine lengths back of Azure Seelster in third. Cold Creek Lacey and Katniss S BG picked up the final cheques, respectively.
Azure Seelster was part of a three-way coupled entry with interlocking ownership (Les Ecuries Dorleans Inc., 9099 3833 Quebec Inc, 2745 5815 Quebec Inc., and Paul Lehoux).
Azure Seelster, who is a daughter of Shadow Play, is out of Winbak Alice, whose dam, Lady Camella, was bred to Shadow Play and produced no less than the $1.9M-winning world champion Lady Shadow. Azure Seelster was purchased for $55,000 at the 2016 Forest City Yearling Sale.
Bombardier, who is a member of the Canadian Harness Racing Hall of Fame, had a career of over 50 years in the Standardbred sport, during which he progressed through the ranks from horseman to administrator/executive to one of the great organizers and builders of the sport, especially in his native Quebec.
(Standardbred Canada with files from the Quebec Jockey Club)
