by Greg Gangle for WEG

Toronto, ON — After a perfect 17-for-17 campaign last season, the reigning Horse of the Year in both Canada and the U.S., Bee A Magician will make her first start of the season on Monday at Woodbine.

The 4-year-old daughter of Kadabra will contest in the first leg of the Miss Versatility series.

Trained by Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman throughout her career, Bee A Magician has banked $2.3 million for owners David McDuffee, Herb Liverman and Mel Hartman.

Among her accomplishments last season, the bay captured the Breeders Crown, Hambletonian Oaks, Moni Maker, Delvin Miller Memorial, Simcoe, American National and Elegantimage.

Her career best time of 1:51 in last year’s Delvin Miller at the Meadowlands is the fastest mile ever by a 3-year-old filly trotter.

In addition, Bee A Magician was named 3-year-old trotting filly of the year in both Canada and the U.S.

“I think she’s better than she was last year,” Norman said. “She had a great winter with two nice qualifiers and she’s turned into a big strapping filly. By next year I think we’ll even notice more of a difference.”

Bee A Magician, a three-time O’Brien Award winner, has two qualifiers under her belt at The Meadowlands, most recently with a winning effort in 1:55.3.

Two divisions of the Miss Versatility series will take place in races three and nine. Bee A Magician will contest in the latter C$30,000 contest from post two with driver Brian Sears.

A field of seven will line up behind the gate and perhaps Bee A Magician’s main rival is Perfect Alliance, who has remained undefeated this season from nine starts.

“She’s a really good horse and to be honest, I don’t expect to beat her (Perfect Alliance),” Norman said. “She’s on top of her game right now and we’re just starting the season. As long as my filly is trotting strong at the wire, I’ll be happy. She does always tend to surprise me though with a big effort. The Armbro Flight (June 14) is about a month away and we’ll be peaking her for that.”

Monday evening will mark Bee A Magician’s first start as a 4-year-old racing against older mares for the first time in her career.

“It’s a quality field, there’s no doubt,” he said. “Maven is not in there, but other than her there are a lot of quality mares. Even some of the Canadian mares that we don’t see a lot down in the U.S. look like they belong.”

The trotting miss has tasted defeat just three times in her career from 30 starts. She has remained undefeated since October 27, 2012.

The fields will line up as follows:

Race 3

1. Classic Martine
2. Charmed Life
3. Angies Lucky Star
4. Upfrontluckycarol
5. Rockin With Dewey
6. Coffeecake Hanover

Race 9

1. Dorsay
2. Bee A Magician
3. Ma Chere Hall
4. Bax Of Life
5. Motown Muscle
6. Perfect Alliance
7. Frau Blucher