by Karen Briggs, WEG Media

Toronto, ON — Arbor Pompom Girl is one well-traveled 3-year-old. The Michigan-bred filly has 10 lifetime starts under her belt at 10 different tracks, ranging from Ohio fair ovals to a second-place finish on March 31, at Windsor Raceway, in her sophomore debut.

Now, trainer/driver Skip DeMull has brought the daughter of Chip Chip Hooray to the Big Smoke, to take on a raft of 3-year-old trotting lasses in the Celias Counsel Series, the C$20,000 second leg of which goes postward on Monday night (April 13) at Woodbine.

In the Celias Counsel opener one week ago, Arbor Pompom Girl picked up a check for second, though she finished almost 12 lengths back of John Burns trainee Kandor Hanover. Monday night, she finds herself the narrow favorite in the first of the two Celias Counsel splits (race one, post time 7:20 p.m.), a field which doesn’t include Kandor Hanover.

She will have to contend, however, with the likes of Paidmedorayme, who was fourth last week in the series opener, and Blue Blush, who was impressive early in her mile last Monday before making an unfortunate break in stride. With better track conditions likely on Monday, either might present a serious challenge.

There’s little doubt, however, about which filly will hold favorite status in the second Celias Counsel division. After her devastating victory last week, all eyes will be on Kandor Hanover, the Tagliabue daughter co-owned and trained by John Burns, who’ll be leaving from the inside post position with Randy Waples in the bike. She’s currently listed at 6-5 and those odds may be even shorter by post time.

The C$47,200 final of the Celias Counsel Series is slated for Monday, April 20.