by Karen Briggs/WEG Media

Campbellville, ON — Having apparently banished the torn back muscle suffered earlier this season, the 3-year-old daughter of Kadabra was solid gold tonight in winning the C$191,206 Canadian Breeders’ Championship final for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

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Paul MacDonell came four-wide with Bella Dolce coming out of the final turn and went on to win the C$191,206 Canadian Breeders’ Championship final for 3-year-old trotting fillies.

Leaving from post 4 as the 6-5 favorite, Bella Dolce bided her time in the middle of the pack while Benediction Lindy and trainer/driver Mike Vanderkemp accelerated to the early lead from the far outside, with Condi Lane and Dave Boughton applying pressure at the 3/8 pole and sweeping past to take command. That lead didn’t last, however, as Jayporthasitall (Brad Forward) stepped forward to duel through a :56.4 half, with Pasadena Princess (Randy Waples) coming second-over to pick up the pieces. That forced Paul MacDonell to come four-wide with Bella Dolce coming out of the final turn, but the 2007 O’Brien Award finalist filly was up to the challenge, passing a flagging Condi Lane and holding off Pasadena Princess to cross the wire alone in 1:55.3.

MacDonell commented, “She’s coming along now. She had a few issues earlier in the season, just wasn’t quite on her toes yet, but the last couple of starts she’s been right on. She’s got the attitude to trot on. When you pull her off cover, she just wants to go by horses. That’s something you can’t teach. If she keeps that will about her she’ll be a definite factor all year.”

Bella Dolce improved her record to two wins and three seconds in eight starts this season for owner David Duffee of Nashua, New Hampshire. Kevin O’Reilly is the trainer of record for the filly while she’s in Canada; his other entry, Feels Like Magic was ninth.