by Mark McKelvie, for WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — Doug McNair has been off to a flying start in 2017 and Thursday night (Jan. 19) he continued his hot streak by sweeping the first round of the Blizzard Series at Woodbine Racetrack.

New Image Media photo

Stonebridge Pearl provides Doug McNair with his first of two triumphs in the Blizzard Series on Thursday at Woodbine Racetrack.

McNair guided Stonebridge Pearl and Senseless Beauty to victories to take both C$17,000 first leg divisions of the Blizzard for 3- and 4-year-old pacing fillies and mares.

The first division of the evening saw all the attention go towards Niagara Series winner Jimbelina, but the heavy-favorite just couldn’t go all the way over the “off-track.” Sent to the front from post 10 by driver Sylvain Filion, Jimbelina cut out fractions of :27.1, :57 and 1:25.2. However, Stonebridge Pearl and McNair stalked the leader’s every move from the pocket and were able to pounce in the lane.

Stonebridge Pearl powered by Jimbelina in deep stretch to win by a half-length in a career-best 1:55. Sparkle finished third, while Franschoek was fourth.

A 4-year-old daughter of Mach Three, Stonebridge Pearl made her first start of the New Year a winning effort Thursday after winning just once in 21 appearances in 2016. Owned by Mark Ford and trained locally by Gregg McNair, Stonebridge Pearl banked C$26,100 last season and her Blizzard opening leg victory now gives her three career wins and a bankroll of C$69,880.

She paid $22 to win.

The second division saw McNair once again crossing the wire first, but this time he did it with the public’s choice.

Senseless Beauty was pointed directly to the front right from the beginning by McNair and was able to clear Collective Wisdom for the lead just after the opening quarter-mile of :28.
After posting middle-fractions of :57.1 and 1:27, Senseless Beauty was tested in the lane by Collective Wisdom from the two-hole, but the favorite was able to turn aside the challenger and score a two-length victory in 1:55.4.

Kloof Street turned in a strong final quarter-mile to come all the way from ninth and last to finish second just ahead of Collective Wisdom. Xelene Bayama finished fourth.

A 4-year-old daughter of Vintage Master, Senseless Beauty was making just the fourth start of her career Thursday. The Tony O’Sullivan trainee raced twice as a rookie in Aug. of 2015, but didn’t make another start until last month.

Owned by Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Dana Parham, Senseless Beauty has now won back to back starts at Woodbine and is on a three-race win streak after finishing second in her career debut. Thursday’s victory increases her career earnings to C$24,500. She paid $4.40 to win.

Round two of the Blizzard Series will take place next Friday (Jan. 26).

Three and 4-year-old pacing fillies and mares, who were non-winners of two-races or C$30,000 lifetime as of Oct. 31, 2016, were eligible to the Blizzard.

Live racing continues Friday night (Jan. 20) at Woodbine with round one of the Snowshoe Series for 3-and 4-year-old pacers headlining the 11-race card. Post time is 7:30 p.m.