by Jeff Renton, media/communications, the Woodbine Entertainment Group

Toronto, March 13, 2005… Over a track rated ‘Good’, which received a one-second allowance in time from the judges, the C$35,000 opening leg of the Damsel Pacing Series for three and four-year-old fillies and mares kicked off at Woodbine Sunday afternoon. In three divisions contested by non-winners of $100,000 lifetime as of October 31, 2004, M T Freedom, Noble Sami and Respectednbeloved each triumphed in their respective splits.

Clearing to the lead just after the half-mile pole, M T Freedom ($2.70, $2.60, $2.10) and driver Keith Oliver emerged victorious from the first division and stopped the clock in 1:55.2.

WEG Photo

M T Freedom and driver Keith Oliver emerged victorious from the first division of the Damsel Pacing Series in 1:55.2.

Catch-driven by Rick Zeron for conditioner Charalambos Christoforou, Retsina ($12.70, $5.80) bottomed out the $47.20 exactor after finishing 2¼-lengths in arrears. Piloted by Phil Hudon for trainer Bob Atkin, Converging Spirit ($2.90) was also 2¼-lengths back and completed the $153.30 triactor.

A four-year-old Albert Albert—MG Scoot N Boot mare, M T Freedom got away fourth as Retsina went to the quarter pole in 28 seconds flat. MT Freedom then went first-up and rang up the half-mile timer in :57.3 while still on the outer tier. The career winner of 13 dashes then tripped the third call in 1:27 and came home with a :28.3 final quarter-mile time.

Conditioned by Bill Companion for the Common Sense Stable of Rockwood, Ontario, and Melissa Robinson of Calgary, Alberta, M T Freedom now has 3-1-0 seasonal record in five starts.

After a fair bit of early action, Noble Sami ($10.20, $3.90, $3.10) and a catch-driving Paul MacDonell gained control at the half-mile marker and went on to capture the second division in a time of 1:54.3.

Closing hard after sitting second-over, Croquette Hanover ($8.30, $4.90) finished a quarter-length back in second for driver Steve Condren and trainer John Kopas, completing the $89.80 exactor. Steered by Luc Ouellette for conditioner Kevin McMaster, Early Dismissal ($5.00) rounded out the $503.10 triactor after finishing 2½-lengths in arrears.

The 8-5 post time favourite, Amethyst (Mario Baillargeon) cut the opening quarter in :27.3. Parked through the first call, Tricky Fame (Mark MacDonald) then cleared to the lead before Noble Sami took her shot from the three-hole. The four-year-old Artsplace—Noble Samantha mare reached the half in :56.2 and was first to the three-quarters pole in 1:24.3. Repelling a stern bid from Croquette Hanover late, Noble Sami held on for her sixth career victory.

Co-owned by her breeder, Banjo Farms, along with fellow Ontarians Marvin Goodman and Albert Sandler, Noble Sami increased her 2005 resume to 4-1-2 in eight starts.

Sent off as the 3-5 post time favourite in the final division, Respectednbeloved ($3.40, $2.20, $2.30) devoured ground late for driver Steve Condren and trainer Brett Robinson, as she went on to stop the clock in 1:52.3.

Having cut all the fractions, Apache Dame ($3.10, $3.30), who was driven by Paul MacDonell for trainer Harold Stead, finished three lengths in arrears and bottomed out the $10.00 exactor. Catch-driven by Jody Jamieson for conditioner Charalambos Christoforou, Stiliani ($4.30) was 4¼-lengths back and completed the $69.70 triactor.

Apache Dame laid down the speed in :27.4, :56.3 and 1:24.1, but was overpowered late by Respectednbeloved (Dream Away—Armbro Penelope), who was charted in sixth at every call.

Respectednbeloved was passing her second-over cover off of the final turn and motored home for the convincing score.

In her first start at Woodbine since shipping back from the Meadowlands, Respectednbeloved increased her seasonal resume to 5-1-1 from the seventh start of the campaign for owners Canamerica Capital Corporation and Hyatt Holdings Inc. of Milton, Ontario.

The Damsel Pacing Series continues next Sunday, March 20 at Woodbine, with C$35,000 second leg action.

Snazzy Millie wins a thriller in Sunday’s C$50,000 Open trot

It was tight at the wire in Sunday afternoon’s C$50,000 Open trot, but after the photo was developed, Snazzy Millie ($22.90, $10.10, $6.70) took a trip to the winner’s circle after her 1:55.4 mile.

Firing off of Snazzy Millie’s back in the lane for driver Jody Jamieson, Paula Wellwood trainee Wide Angle Hanover ($22.10, $7.70) finished just a nose short in second and completed the $361.40 exactor. Hanging on in a game effort for his trainer-driver Ron Waples, JM Vangogh ($3.50) was just a head back in third and rounded out the $1,487.70 triactor.

Stiletto (Rick Zeron) cut the opening fraction in :27.4 before Waples had JM Vangogh on the move from fourth. In the process of attaining the lead, JM Vangogh tripped the half-mile timer in :56.4. Snazzy Millie made her move in the third panel, as she came first-over from the three-hole and reached the three-quarters pole in 1:26.

Fending off intense pressure by both JM Vangogh and Wide Angle Hanover, Snazzy Millie notched her 11th career score after successfully making the jump up in class.

Conditioned by Paul Skjaker for Terry and Clarence Devos of Langston, Ontario, Snazzy Millie now has a 2-2-0 record this season after five starts and has banked C$53,000.