by Mark McKelvie, Woodbine Communications

Milton, ON — Grand Circuit week kicked off Thursday (Aug. 30) at Woodbine Mohawk Park with three divisions of the Champlain Stakes for 2-year-old trotting fillies. A total of 28 rookie trotting fillies competed Thursday in three divisions totaling C$202,476.

Jimmy Takter trainee Susy took advantage of calling the shots on the front to win the first division in 1:55.4. Driven by Yannick Gingras, Susy trotted out from post five to claim the lead without an issue and posted a :29 opener. Gingras didn’t face any pressure in the second quarter and got away with a :30.3 panel to put the race to bed.

New Image Media photo

Susy collects her second victory from five starts in a division of the Champlain Stakes.

Susy opened nearly six lengths on her rivals to reach three-quarters in 1:28 and finished the mile strong in :27.4 to win by 5-3/4 lengths. Sister’s Promise also trotted a :27.4 final quarter to finish in the place spot after moving from fifth to second on the far turn. Champagne Jane was third.

“She’s very nice and did everything right,” said Gingras after driving Susy for the first time. “I was able to have a real cheap half and at the point we just took off and it was catch me if you can.”

A daughter of Father Patrick, Susy is the eighth foal from Solveig. She is now two for five and has earned C$44,163 for owners Christina Takter and Solveig’s Racing Partners.

Susy paid $4.40 to win.

Ted MacDonnell trainee Teddys Littleangel converted off a second-over trip to win the second division in 1:57.1. Driven by Paul MacDonell, Teddys Littleangel got away sixth and was able to angle out in the second-quarter to follow the race favorite Fraulein Blucher. Sette Deo rushed fourth to first on the backstretch to lead the field at the half in :59.2 and three-quarters in 1:28.1.

Teddys Littleangel was tipped three-wide turning for home and surged by rivals to trot home in :28.2 and win by 3-1/2 lengths. Princess Deo followed the winner to grab second, while Cambridge Kate, who led at the opening quarter, was third.

“She’s come a long way in a short time,” said MacDonell. “It looked like there was few leaving and I saw Chris’ horse duck in, so I thought maybe I’ll just get in behind him.

“I had to wrestle her a little bit and once I got her settled in behind his helmet she was pretty good. She swelled up nice on the last turn and had lots coming home.”

A daughter of Archangel, Teddys Littleangel is now three for five and all three victories have come in different levels of stakes action (OSS Grassroots, OSS Gold and Grand Circuit). She has now earned C$81,755 for owner/breeder Leonard Gamble.

Teddys Littleangel paid $14.70 to win.

Dustin Jones trainee Tommi Canu Hearme capitalized on miscues from the favorites to win the third division in 1:58.1. Driven by Chris Christoforou, Tommi Canu Hearme got away fifth in the field of 10. Race favorite The Ice Dutchess and second choice Speed Titan made breaks before the first turn to change the landscape of the race. Angies Luckeylady called the shots on the front, posting fractions of :28.2, :59.4 and 1:29.2.

Tommi Canu Hearme was moved to the outside on the far turn, as Angies Luckeylady was confronted by Avalonia. In the stretch, Tommi Canu Hearme shot by her rivals to snag the lead entering the final-eighth and trotted on to win by three-quarters of a length. Evident Beauty rallied from seventh to finish second, while Grimmie Hanover was third.

Tommi Canu Hearme was making her first start with trotting hopples after making a break in an OSS Gold on Aug. 10.

“I was a little bullheaded, I should’ve put them on a few weeks ago and finally we broke down after that last break and put them on,” said Jones, who expects Thursday’s victory to have a good impact on his filly going forward.

“She wears an open bridle, so she can see everything going on around her. She knows she won.”

A daughter of Royalty For Life, Tommi Canu Hearme broke her maiden with Thursday’s Grand Circuit victory. She is now one for four and has earned C$40,952 for owners Dustin Jones Stables Inc, Hebert Horses Inc and Sjoblom Racing Stable.

Tommi Canu Hearme returned $81.50 to win.

Grand Circuit action continues Friday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park with three divisions of the Champlain for 2-year-old trotters and a division of the Simcoe Stakes for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

Post time is 7:10 p.m.