by Mark McKelvie, for WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Candlelight Dinner turned in an impressive six-length victory in the opening leg of the Whenuwishuponastar Series Thursday (July 21) at Mohawk Racetrack.

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Candlelight Dinner lights up Mohawk Raceway to remain undefeated in her brief career.

A field of seven rookie pacing fillies met up for the $14,000 first leg of the Whenuwishuponastar. The annual series has produced many top fillies, including last year’s winner L A Delight.

Casie Coleman trainee Candlelight Dinner entered the opening round off a strong 1:54.1 victory in her career debut July 5. With a strong win to go with a pair of impressive qualifiers, the betting public made the Art Major filly 1-9.

Driven by Jonathan Drury, Candlelight Dinner left from post five and was unhurried into the first turn. The Coleman trainee was parked around the opening bend, but cleared to the front with ease before three-eighths. After reaching the half in :58.3, Candlelight Dinner surrendered the lead to a blasting Touching Thought, who paced up from sixth to first. The new leader’s time on the front end was short-lived, as Drury angled the heavy-favorite to the outside at the three-quarter pole in 1:27

Re-taking the lead at the top of the lane, Candlelight Dinner pulled away from her rivals with ease and cruised home in :27.2 for a 1:54.2 victory.

Black Jack Pat, who sat on the back of the favorite, finished second. Moment To Ponder was third, while Touching Thought dropped back to finish fourth.

A Lexington Selected Yearling Sale graduate, Candlelight Dinner was purchased for $110,000 last fall. She is the eighth foal out of Jate Lobell mare Time N Again and a full-sister to millionaire pacing mare Romantic Moment.

Candlelight Dinner is owned by Mac Nichol, Let It Ride Stables Inc., and Howard Taylor. She now has two wins in two starts and C$14,000 in earnings.

The second round of the Whenuwishuponastar Series will take place next Thursday (July 28).

Live racing continues Friday (July 22) night at Mohawk. Post time is 7:30 p.m.