The Quebec / Eastern Ontario Regional Driving Championship is heating up, with the third of four 2026 Regional Driving Championships (RDC) underway at Hippodrome 3R in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. This highly competitive event showcases the top drivers and their skilled horses in the region, with the top two point earners advancing to the 2026 National Driving Championship (NDC).
In Leg 1, Pascal Berube's pacing mare TJ All The Way ($6) made a strong start, taking the lead approaching the half and holding off American Rhythm (Nick Boyd) to win by a length in 1:59.3. HF Agent Andreoli (Ryan Guy) finished third. The race was a showcase of strategic driving and horse power, with Berube's experience shining through.
Leg 2 saw Nick Boyd back on the front end with his first draft pick, the 1-5 favourite Kinnder Colosse ($2.50). Boyd held off Pascale Berube's Lightning Sena by three-quarters of a length, with Woodmere Rebel (Marie-Claude Auger) finishing third. Kinnder Colosse's 1:59.2 victory kept him undefeated in two career starts, tying him with Berube at the top of the leaderboard.
The leaderboard after Leg 2 is a close race, with Pascal Berube and Nick Boyd tied for the lead with 24 points each, followed by Ryan Guy with 10, Marie-Claude Auger with 9, Robert Shepherd with 8, Stephane Brosseau with 6, William Roy with 6, and Denis St. Pierre with 4. The competition is fierce, with several drivers in the running for the top spots.
The top two point earners from each RDC will advance to the NDC on Sunday, July 26 at Clinton Raceway in Clinton, Ontario. The NDC driver line-up includes Ontario Regional champion Tyler Borth and runner-up Jody Jamieson, as well as Western Regional champion Phil Giesbrecht and runner-up Kelly Hoerdt. The Atlantic Regional will take place on Tuesday, June 23 at Red Shores Summerside in Summerside, P.E.I.
The winner of the NDC will represent Canada at the 2027 World Driving Championship (WDC), which will be hosted by Standardbred Canada. Canada's James MacDonald received an automatic bye into the 2027 WDC as the reigning World Driving Champion. The scoring system for the RDC and NDC is based on the World Driving Championship, with points awarded on the order of finish.
The QEORDC is a thrilling event, showcasing the skill and talent of the drivers and horses. With the competition heating up, the championship is sure to be an exciting and memorable event for all involved. The top two point earners will advance to the NDC, and the winner of the NDC will represent Canada at the WDC, making it a crucial part of the harness racing calendar.
