by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Campbellville, ON — The best Canadian-bred 3-year-old filly trotters and pacers competed Friday night (July 16) at Mohawk Racetrack in the Canadian Breeders Championship eliminations with trainer Casie Coleman conquering the pacing category.

Fan Hanover Stakes winner Western Silk, along with Bay Girl, delivered as expected for Coleman.

In the first elimination, Bay Girl was sent off the gate for driver Mark MacDonald and followed the leader Precious Cammill past an opening quarter of :26.4. MacDonald then re-took the lead through fractions of :55.2 and 1:23.3. The daughter of Royal Mattjesty used a :27.2 final quarter to win in 1:51. Longshot Landfairlastchance finished second and Mc Taylor completed the triactor.

“My filly didn’t race in a few weeks. I was content staying in the two-hole but it looked like Randy Waples needed some cover and I certainly didn’t mind being on the front-end. She’s better with cover but I’m glad we got the win and pick our post position for the final,” Mark MacDonald commented.

The win was Bay Girl’s first victory thus far in 2010 for owners Pat, Sam and Michael Sergi and she now has career earnings of more than C$330,000. She paid $7.30 for the win.

Western Silk followed up her Fan Hanover win with a 1:51.1 score on Friday in the CBC eliminations.

Fresh off her Fan Hanover Stakes victory, Western Silk conquered the second elimination, winning in 1:51.1 for driver Mark MacDonald.

Leaving from post four, the daughter of Western Terror was positioned sixth before the opening quarter of :27.1. MacDonald then followed Jody Jamieson and Windsong Grande Ave past the half in :56.1. Windsong Grande Ave took over the lead past the three-quarters in 1:23.3, leaving Western Silk on the outside. MacDonald used a :27.2 final quarter to secure the victory for owners Casie Coleman and Tom Hill.

“She was actually a little sick in the Fan Hanover. So we gave her time to get cleaned up and she was great tonight. I had no problems following Windsong Grand Ave and I didn’t even pull the plugs or the blinds. She could have gone sub-1:50, I’m sure of it,” Mark MacDonald commented in the winner’s circle.

Western Silk still remains as one of the best 3-year-old fillies in North America and increased her seasonal earnings to more than C$445,000 and career earnings to more than C$760,000.

In the trotting category, Cross Of Lorraine delivered as expected in the first elimination.

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Jody Jamieson steered Cross Of Lorraine to a 1:54 triumph.

With Jody Jamieson in the bike, the speedy filly cleared past Wilsonator and driver Sylvain Filion through an opening quarter of :28. The daughter of Angus Hall then took the field past the half in :57.3 and put away a first over challenge from Ipromisenottotell and driver Phil Hudon at the three-quarter pole in 1:25.2. Cross Of Lorraine was able to hold off a late challenge from No Magic To It to win in 1:54 with Wilsonater finishing third.

“She doesn’t seem to know the end of a mile. She was incredible on the front end. When driver Keith Oliver and No Magic To It came at me halfway down the stretch my filly just dug in again,” Jody Jamieson commented.

Cross Of Lorraine is now undefeated in four starts and increased her career earnings to more than C$115,000 for trainer Carl Jamieson and co-owners Thomas Kyron and Hope Johnson. She paid $2.50 for the victory.

Emmylou Who took full advantage of Poof She’s Gone making an uncharacteristic break to deliver in the second elimination for trainer/driver Lyle MacArthur.

The daughter of Ken Warkentin settled away in third past an opening quarter of :28.1. Ruling Class then allowed Emmylou Who to control the pace past the half in :57.1 and three-quarters in 1:26.1. Emmylou Who and MacArthur then opened up to win by over 10 lengths in 1:54.4. Kenu Dance finished second and Boots N Hearts completed the triactor. Poof She’s Gone rallied from her early miscue to finish fourth and advance to the final.

“The last few starts she wasn’t herself. Her temperature was fine but I could tell she wasn’t right. I didn’t get a chance to train her at all the past few weeks. I knew if she got a decent trip she would have a good chance,” Lyle MacArthur commented.

“There is no picnic for these 3-year-old trotting fillies this year. It’s completely wide open anywhere you race this year. My filly is very versatile; she can race anyway you want. I’ve made a few equipment changes from last year and it seems to have helped her,” MacArthur stated.

The victory increased her seasonal earnings to C$215,000 and career earnings just shy of C$350,000. Emmylou Who paid $10.00 for owners Linda Wellwood, Tammy Aspen, Anne Shunock and Diane Ingham.

Here is a look at the field for both Canadian Breeders Finals next Saturday at Mohawk:

3-year-old filly pace
1. Ice Ice Baby
2. Bay Girl
3. Western Silk
4. Mc Taylor
5. Theta Blue Chip
6. Landfairlastchance
7. Warm Waffles
8. Deliciouslynaughty
9. Windsong Grand Ave
10. Oceans Motion

3-year-old filly trot
1. No Magic To It
2. Poof She’s Gone
3. Emmylou Who
4. Cross Of Lorraine
5. First Avenue
6. Highland Strikes
7. Wilsonator
8. Kenu Dance
9. Ipromisenottotell
10. Boots N Hearts