by Greg Blanchard, WEG Media

Toronto, ON — Signal and Aqua Rosa were both repeat winners in Monday night’s (Dec. 22) second leg of the Niagara Pacing Series at Woodbine and positioned themselves for a chance at the series sweep. This week’s other divisional winner was Windsong Experanza, who rebounded from a surprising loss in last week’s first round.

New Image Media photo

Signal was a 1:55.4 winner in her Niagara Series division.

Signal changed up tactics this time and rallied from well off the pace at the quarter to win in 1:55.4. She was handled by Brian MacPhee of Clyde River, Prince Edward Island, who was driving in his first race at Woodbine. Keystone Wendy was second with Todaysyourluckyday finishing in the show spot.

The victory was the fourth in 11 tries this season for the daughter of Astreos-Greenwich Sign and boosted her bankroll to $43,378 for owner-trainer Ricky MacPhee of Cambridge, Ontario.

Aqua Rosa also used front-end tactics in capturing the second split for driver Mike Saftic in 1:54. The daughter of The Panderosa-Aquatic Yankee was able to hold off The Three Of Us with Paper Cut rounding out the top three.

It was the fourth straight and eighth overall win in 20 starts this season for Aqua Rosa who is trained by Jim Ainsworth, who co-owns along with William Boden of Vancouver, B.C. The lion’s share of the purse increased her seasonal earnings to $67,856.

Windsong Experanza, who caused a recall before the first attempted start of the final division, put her game face on the second time and posted a gate-to-wire tally for Jody Jamieson in 1:53.4, the fastest of the three splits.

The daughter of Astreos-Morning To Morning turned back Rip Rockin Lady and Village Bolero for her ninth win in 19 starts this season. The victory vaulted her earnings to $70,102 for trainer Rick McNeill who co-owns along with Mike Henowick and Ronald Clark.

The C$45,000 Niagara Series Final will go postward next Monday night (Dec. 29) at Woodbine.