by Jeff Renton, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Toronto, March 14, 2004… Both Tan Forever and Odds On Charmaine were convincing winners in the C$35,000 opening leg of the Damsel Series Sunday afternoon at Woodbine.

From a textbook two-hole ride, Tan Forever ($6.40, $3.50, $3.10) and driver Chris Christoforou found the winner’s circle after the first division, as they scored in 1:53.2.

Odds On Michelle, in rein to Luc Ouellette, was sent to post as the 1-5 favorite and recorded fractions of :28.1, :57.4, and 1:26. Tan Forever shot off that cover in the lane and jogged the rest of the way in the mark-lowering effort.

Greenwich Villa ($7.30, $5.40) and driver Paul MacDonell finished 3½-lengths back in second and Metropolis N ($8.80) and driver Rick Zeron were 3¾-lengths back for third.

Tan Forever, a four-year-old Stand Forever—To Be Tan mare, increased her seasonal record to 2-1-2 from six starts.

Trained by Joe Stutzman for Ontario-based owners Ian Fromowitz and Jack Frydman, Tan Forever topped a $41.00 exactor and a $204.80 triactor.

There were some tense moments for Odds On Charmaine ($2.30, $2.30, $2.10) early in the second split, but the four-year-old daughter of Western Hanover—Angel Be Good got the job done in a sharp 1:53.1 mile.

Owned by Crete, Illinois’ Odds On Racing, Odds On Charmaine got a little steppy while in the two-hole after the :27.4 quarter-mile pole. Settling the mare after the brief break, driver Luc Ouellette then sent the William Perretti-bred to the top. She paced to a 57-second half-mile and reached the third station in 1:25.1 and looked strong the rest of the way.

MacDonell again finished second, this time aboard Southwind Laurel (7.90, $3.40) who was 4¼-lengths back. Ontario Girls Series victor Pronovais ($2.10), this week in rein to Chris Christoforou, finished five lengths back in third.

It was the 11th career tally for Odds On Charmaine, as she was atop a $14.60 exactor and a $36.20 triactor.

The C$35,000 second leg of the Damsel Series will take place next Sunday, while the C$122,500 (estimated) final is slated for March 28.

Now a perfect 12 for 12 when they are paired together, War Paint and Chris Christoforou continued to roll in the C$38,000 conditioned trot (race 9) at Woodbine on Sunday.

Exiting post three, War Paint, trained by Dave Tingley, spun off panels of :28.2, :58.3, and 1:26.4 before cruising home in a :28.4 final panel to score in 1:55.2.