by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Rookie trotting fillies were showcased on Thursday evening (August 30) at Mohawk in a pair of Champlain Stakes divisions.

Zorgwijk Nova posted the 18-1 upset in the first division with Trevor Ritchie up.

In the $121,586 first split, Zorgwijk Nova posted the 18-1 upset as she got under the wire first in a maiden-breaking score of 1:56.1 for driver Trevor Ritchie.

The daughter of Armbro Ricochet-Zorgwijk Amarillis came from off the pace past the opening quarter in :28.2 and half in :58, before brushing to the lead before three-quarters in 1:26 en route to a comfortable 4-1/2 length score. Faith (Randy Waples) finished second, over Orderingin (Sylvain Filion). Post time favorite Shared Past (Yannick Gingras) made a break in stride at the half and finished eighth.

Trained and co-owned by Ronnie Maclean along with Zorgwijk Stables Ltd, Happy Trails Stables and Murray Neilson, Zorgwijk Nova increased her freshman earnings to $64,025. She paid $39.90 to win.

New Image Media photos

Rick Zeron guided Bee A Magician to a 1:56.1 score in the second division.

In the $123,605 second division, heavily-favored Bee A Magician came from off the pace to notch the victory in 1:56.1.

The daughter of Kadabra-Beehive, guided by Rick Zeron, watched the leaders throw down panels of :28.4, :58.1 and 1:27.4, before rallying to the lead and winning by 1-3/4 lengths. Charmed Life (Paul MacDonell) finished second, with Rockin With Dewey (Mario Baillargeon) completing the triactor.

Richard ‘Nifty’ Norman trains the rookie for owners Mel Hartman, Herb Liverman and David McDuffee. The Ontario Sires Stakes standout has crafted a 5-1-0 record from seven career starts and $218,627 in earnings. She paid $2.70 to win.