by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Ontario sired 3-year-old fillies were out in full force for the eliminations of the WEG-SBOA Stakes Saturday night (May 23) at Mohawk Racetrack.

A pair of C$25,000 eliminations were contested for both pacing and trotting divisions to determine the fields for next Saturday’s finals. A group of 22 sophomore trotting fillies were split into two 11-horse divisions.

New Image Media photo

Stubborn Belle won her elimination in a time of 1:55.2.

In the first elimination, Stubborn Belle, last year’s O’Brien Award winner, made her 2015 debut a winning effort in 1:55.2.

Driven by Paul MacDonell, Stubborn Belle made a move from third to first in the second quarter to take control at the half in :57.1. After posting a third quarter of :28.2, Stubborn Belle trotted home under minimal urging to win by 2-1/4 lengths. Meadow Seelster, who made a break after the start, made a huge comeback to finish second. Summers Jewel, Battle Mage and Tymal Illbthere rounded out the top five to secure spots in the final.

A daughter of Taurus Dream, Stubborn Belle is trained by John Bax and owned by Al Libfeld and Bax’s Parkhill Stud Farm. The sophomore trotting filly won five of 14 starts last season and compiled earnings of $475,354. Stubborn Belle returned $2.90 to win.

The second elimination saw Danielle Hall, last year’s Ontario Sires Stakes champion, sent off as the heavy favorite in her season debut, but an early break from the star filly tossed the division up in the air.

Second Sister and driver Doug McNair showed early speed to grab the lead. Once on the front, McNair got to call all the shots and set fractions of :29, :58.1 and 1:26.4. In the stretch, Second Sister cruised home in :28.1 to win by three lengths over first-up challenger Kaddy in 1:55. Yanks Ball Girl, Magic Shelley and Sumthintotalkabout picked up the remaining checks to earn a spot in the final. Following her break, Danielle Hall caught the field and was able to finish sixth.

A daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe, Second Sister is trained by Gregg McNair for owner Jarold Hawks. The trotting filly finished third last week in her season debut. Last season, Second Sister won three of eight starts and earned $50,807. Her clocking of 1:55 Saturday night established a new career mark. Second Sister paid $26.70 to win.

On the pacing side, a total of 20 3-year-old fillies were split evenly into two ten-horse eliminations.

In the first elimination, Ms Mac N Cheese was able to overcome post ten to win in 1:52.4.

Driven by Sylvain Filion, Ms Mac N Cheese, the 2-1 favorite, sprinted off the gate and was able to make the front from the far outside. The public’s choice set fractions of :26.4 and :55.4 before being challenged around the final turn.

Ms Mac N Cheese reached the three-quarter pole in 1:24.1 with a first-over challenger at her wheel. In the stretch, the favorite turned aside all rivals to create some separation and paced home in :28.3 to win in 1:52.4. Code One Hanover, who got a two-hole trip, was able to close in on the leader in late stretch to finish second and narrow the margin of victory down to a length. Wrangler Magic, Capela and Southwind Ginger finished in the money to earn the final three spots in next week’s final.

A daughter of Badlands Hanover, Ms Mac N Cheese is trained by Richard Moreau for owner David Ratchford. The sophomore pacing filly is now two for two this season and nine for 12 in her career. Ms Mac N Cheese lowered her career-mark by a fifth of a second with Saturday night’s victory. She returned $6.10 to win.

In the second elimination, Solar Sister, the even-money choice, made it a sweep of the pacing eliminations by post ten starters with a 1:53 victory.

Driven by Doug McNair, Solar Sister sprinted to the front from post ten and was able to reach the pylons at the opening quarter in :26.2. The public’s choice was then able to call the shots and posted fractions of :56 and 1:24.4.

In the stretch, Solar Sister kept her momentum going and held off her rivals with a :28.1 final quarter to win by a length. Delightful Hill came charging from the back to finish second. Win The Gold, Much Adoo and Twin B Honour rounded out the top five.

A daughter of Mach Three, Solar Sister is trained by Gregg McNair for owners David Willmot and Clay Horner. Her elimination victory improves her 2015 record to a perfect two for two and was the fourth win of her career. Last season, Solar Sister won two of 13 starts and banked $194,270. Saturday’s clocking of 1:53 established a new career mark for the McNair trainee. A $2 win ticket on Solar Sister paid $4.30.

The post position draw for both finals was conducted following the eliminations. The elimination winners earned the right to select their posts.

The C$129,661 WEG-SBOA Stakes final for trotting fillies and the C$127,661 WEG-SBOA Stakes final for pacing fillies will take place next Saturday (May 30).

Here is how they will line up in next week’s finals.

WEG-SBOA – 3-Year-Old Trotting Filly Final
1. Kaddy – Steve Condren
2. Stubborn Belle – Paul MacDonell
3. Second Sister – Doug McNair
4. Summers Jewel – Mario Baillargeon
5. Battle Mage – Jack Moiseyev
6. Meadow Seelster – Jody Jamieson
7. Sumthintotalkabout – Rick Zeron
8. Yanks Ball Girl – Randy Waples
9. Tymal Illbthere – Trevor Henry
10. Magic Shelley – Chris Christoforou
AE: Danielle Hall – Jody Jamieson

WEG-SBOA – 3-Year-Old Pacing Filly Final
1. Much Adoo – Paul MacDonell
2. Ms Mac N Cheese – Sylvain Filion
3. Solar Sister – Doug McNair
4. Wrangler Magic – Yves Filion
5. Twin B Honour – Trevor Henry
6. Win The Gold – James MacDonald
7. Code One Hanover – Paul MacDonell
8. Southwind Ginger – Jody Jamieson
9. Delightful Hill – Jody Jamieson
10. Capela – James MacDonald
AE: I Wonder Why – Steve Condren