by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — After a mediocre campaign last season with Belle Boyd, trainer and co-owner Carl Jamieson remains optimistic about a successful 2013 season and so far the daughter of Art Major hasn’t disappointed him.

The bay filly is a perfect two-for-two to start her season after a victory in the opening leg of the Blossom Series last Friday at Woodbine.

New Image Media photo

Belle Boyd has won both of her starts in 2013 and earned $14,945.

“She’s come back really well this season,” Jamieson said. “Last season, she was in a lot of the big dances, but didn’t have the best season. She grew a lot over the course of the season and now she’s developed into a nice, big, strong, powerful filly.”

The pacing lass banked $48,420 last season, while competing in the Breeders Crown, She’s A Great Lady, Eternal Camnation and Champlain Stakes.

“It was just a bad luck year,” Jamieson said. “It was just one of those years that a lot of trainers go through. She was just a bad luck filly last year. Even in the Breeders Crown she had a cut on her pastern prior to the race. It’s just the way it goes sometimes.”

The second round of the Blossom Series takes place on Monday with a single division and Jamieson is quite confident.

“She raced very well in both of her starts this season,” he said. “In her first start, she got away towards the back and closed well to win and last start she came home in :28 seconds, so you can’t ask much more than that from her right now.”

Jamieson is hoping the Blossom Series is just the first of many stakes victories for Belle Boyd. Jamieson shares ownership in the filly with Thomas Kyron and Joanne Morrison.

“She’s paid into all the big events and I’m confident she’ll have a good year,” he said. “Her gait is a lot better and she’s got a lot of power to her. We paid $90,000 for her as a yearling, so obviously we thought she has this type of potential.”

Belle Boyd will begin from post three in race six on Monday. Carl’s son, Jody, will handle the reins in the single division.

The field will line up as follows: 1. Wildcat Hanna, 2. Angels Delight, 3. Belle Boyd, 4. Selandia, 5. Russian Kisses, 6. Air Miles Hanover, 7. Notalkingback, 8. Marquise De Sarah, 9. Senorita Santanna, 10. In The Wheelhouse and 11. Stellar Steel.

The C$60,000 final slated for Thursday (April 11).