by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — The combination of driver Sylvain Filion and trainer Luc Blais has been red hot lately at Mohawk Racetrack and Monday night (Aug. 15) was no different, as they teamed up to capture the Pure Ivory Series final and Preferred Trot.

A field of seven 2-year-old trotting fillies competed in the $28,490 Pure Ivory Series finale. Blais trainee Dream Together entered the final off a pair of victories in the preliminary legs.

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Favored Dream Together was a 1:56.1 winner in the Pure Ivory Series final.

A daughter of Muscle Hill-Danae, Dream Together lived up to her 1-5 billing and went gate-to-wire for a 1:56.1 victory. The rookie trotting filly and driver Filion set fractions of :28.2, :58.2 and 1:28.2.

Pure Kemp and trainer/driver Rick Zeron made a move to confront the heavy favorite heading to the three-quarter pole. The two fillies battled it out down the lane, but ultimately Dream Together pulled away in deep stretch to win by 2-3/4 lengths. Pure Kemp held on for second, while Southwind Tesla finished third.

Dream Together now has three wins in four starts to begin her career. Owned by Determination of Montreal, Quebec, the filly was purchased for $240,000 at last fall’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. She now has $26,232 earned in four outings. A $2 win ticket on Dream Together returned $2.70.

Dream Together is eligible to the upcoming Champlain and Peaceful Way Stakes.

Also on Monday, Lookslikeachpndale came through with his third win of the season in the $26,180 Preferred Trot for Filion and Blais.

The 4-year-old son of Muscle Hill posted a big opening quarter of :26.4, before surrendering the lead to Musical Rhythm, the 2-5 favorite, heading to the half. Lookslikeachpndale and Filion sat the two-hole behind Musical Rhythm through middle fractions of :55.4 and 1:25.1. In the stretch, Musical Rhythm tried to sprint away, but Lookslikeachpndale angled off his back and surged by in deep stretch for the 1:52.4 victory.

Owned by Determination, Lookslikeachpndale now has three wins in nine starts this season and nine victories overall. The 4-year-old has banked $65,930 this season to bring his career earnings to $168,620.

The clocking of 1:52.4 slashed almost a full second off the Blais trainee’s previous career-best. Lookslikeachpndale paid $9.50 to win.

Live racing continues Tuesday night at Mohawk Racetrack. Post time is 7:30 p.m.