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

Toronto, February 3, 2005… Dreamcometrue and Noble Sami both won their respective C$16,000 divisions of the Blizzard Pacing Series Thursday night at Woodbine, as the event for three and four-year-old fillies and mares kicked off over the Toronto strip.

In rein to Mark MacDonald for co-owning conditioner Rick McNeill, Dreamcometrue ($8.10, $4.40, $3.50) tripped the timer in 1:54.4 during the opening dash.

A four-year-old daughter of Gothic Dream—Stonefox Annie, Dreamcometrue left from the outside seven-hole and brought the quarter-pole to life in :28.1. Velvet N Pearls, who recently captured the C$44,000 final of the Niagara Series, went first up from third for driver Jack Moiseyev in the second quarter and was parked on the engine as the half was met in :57.2. Clearing shortly thereafter, Velvet N Pearls grabbed the cones and reached the three-quarters pole in 1:26.3.

Popping the pocket in the lane, Dreamcometrue – who McNeill owns with McWilton Stables – drew off late and recorded a 3¼-length margin of victory.

In rein to Chris Christoforou for trainer Charalambos Christoforou, Stiliani ($4.40, $3.60) bottomed the $27.10 exactor. Driven by Mike Saftic for conditioner Kevin Crowe, Springer Cam ($6.50) finished 4¼-lengths in arrears and completed the $164.40 triactor.

Velvet N Pearls, the 3-5 favorite, broke in the stretch and finished sixth.

Again driving for his father in the second leg, Chris Christoforou got the job done in the second split, as Noble Sami ($6.30, $4.10, $3.20) recorded a 1¾-length score in a new life’s mark of 1:54.2.

Leaving from post position number six, the four-year-old daughter of Artsplace—Noble Samantha led the field to the quarter-pole in: 26.3. Out and calling from third in the second quarter, Small Town Beauty (Norm McKnight Jr.) was parked in the lead as the half came to life in 56 seconds flat. Sitting in the pocket, Noble Sami watched Small Town Beauty pass the three-quarters pole in 1:25.2 before scooting out and blasting off for the win.

Driven by Mario Baillargeon for conditioner Jared Bothwell, Hummnahummnahummna ($25.60, $7.60) bottomed the $59.80 exactor. Trainer-driver Clark Beelby and his pupil, L Dees Rosemel ($3.90), finished 3½-lengths back in third and completed the $429.40 triactor.