by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — The Simcoe Stakes for 3-year-old trotters and pacing fillies made up a portion of the action packed Canadian Pacing Derby undercard Saturday night (Sept. 3) at Mohawk Racetrack.

The C$215,704 Simcoe for 3-year-old pacing fillies featured a single division of 10 horses, while the C$208,040 Simcoe for 3-year-old open trotters featured two divisions.

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Pure Country was a narrow winner in the Simcoe for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

Pure Country overcame interference to win the Simcoe Filly Pace in a great stretch duel against Darlinonthebeach.

The Jimmy Takter trained filly had a new driver for the first time Saturday, as Yannick Gingras subbed in for Brett Miller. Pure Country got away fourth and Gingras opted to move her towards the front in the second quarter, but a break by Lay Lady Lay directly in front of Pure Country halted her momentum.

Unfazed, Pure Country blasted to the front to reach the half in :54.3. Darlinonthebeach followed the move by the new leader and pulled right up alongside her and eventually by on the far turn to lead the field to three-quarters in 1:21.3.

In the stretch, the two top fillies went toe-to-toe with Pure Country powering by on the outside in deep stretch to win in 1:49.2. Mayhem Seelster was third, while L A Delight finished fourth.

Saturday’s victory was the seventh visit to the winner’s circle in 2016 for Pure Country. The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere has tackled the boys on a couple occasions this season. Owned by Diamond Creek Racing, Pure County now has 17 career wins and earnings of more than C$1.5 million. She paid $5 to win.

Over on the trotting side, Bee In Charge scored the 12-1 upset by 1-3/4 lengths to win the first C$104,020 tilt.

The Per Henriksen trainee and driver Chris Christoforou sat patiently in the two-hole while the even-money favorite Sutton broke stride into the first turn and Waitlifter K put up factions of : 27.1, :57 and 1:25.1.

Into the stretch, Bee In Charge was fed open racetrack. The gelding quickly responded and proceeded to trot by Waitlifter K and capture the win in a new lifetime mark of 1:52.4. Winter Harbor rallied for second and Muscle Hustle got up for third as Waitlifter K faded to fourth.

The son of Manofmanymissions and Beehive notched his sixth victory in 13 career outings and lifted his lifetime purse earnings to C$205,950 for owners Melvin Hartman and David McDuffee. Bee In Charge paid $26.10 to win.

Muscles For Life scored a 25-1 upset in the C$104,020 second division.

Driven by Doug McNair, Muscles For Life was sent to the front and posted an opening quarter of :27.2. Dia Monde circled to the lead from second and led the field through panels of :56.4 and 1:25.4.

In the stretch, Dia Monde began to fade and Muscles For Life made a late bid along with Taco Tuesday for a three-horse photo. At the wire, Muscles For Life prevailed by a nose in 1:54.4 over Taco Tuesday and Dia Monde.

A son of Muscle Mass, Muscles For Life is trained by Gregg McNair for owner Jarold Hawks. The sophomore trotter now has three wins in 12 starts this season and seven victories overall in his career. Muscles For Life boosted his career earnings to more than C$150,000 with the victory. He paid $60.10 to win.