by Greg Blanchard, WEG media

Toronto, ON — A Pippin Hanover and Slimsplace both battled temperatures of -11 Celsius to post victories in Thursday’s (Jan. 28) opening leg of the Miss Vera Bars Pacing Series for 3-year-old fillies at Woodbine Racetrack.

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A Pippin Hanover won her Miss Vera Bars split in 1:57.4.

In the opening C$20,000 contest, A Pippin Hanover got away third in the early going from post one and followed in that position throughout for driver Mark MacDonald before rallying to win in 1:57.4. The daughter of Dragon Again-Appleonia Art hauled down longshot Windows Online with race favorite The Mistress finishing third.

Kris Di Cenzo trains the filly, who is now two-for-two in her brief career, for owner Antonio Chiaravalle. She returned $5.30 for the win.

Slimsplace converted from a pocket trip to capture the second split for driver Randy Waples in 1:57. The daughter of Artsplace-She’s Beachy sat behind Pebble Creek for most of the mile before popping out in the stretch and upending that rival by a nose. It was a length back to a fast-closing Cams Cupid who was third.

It was the first start of the campaign for Slimsplace who won two of seven starts last season for trainer Jeff Gillis who co-owns along with Ellen Ott.

The Miss Vera Bars Series will continue with second round action next Thursday night (Feb. 4) at Woodbine.