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

Campbellville, ON — All of the talk heading into the C$50,400 final of the Celias Counsel Series at Mohawk had been of Armbro Balandra, as she was looking for a sweep of the eighth annual edition of the event. But when a quartet of three-year-old trotting fillies were within grasp of the wire, it was all Armbro Beseech in a new stakes record and personal best time of 1:56³.

WEG Photo

Armbro Beseech rallied in the lane to win the Celias Counsel Series Final at Mohawk.

After an opening leg victory in 1:59², Armbro Beseech, a daughter of King Conch, made early breaks in the second leg and was subsequently distanced.

So, leaving from post six in the ten horse final, driver Roger Mayotte eased the bay off the wings and settled her into eighth as Warrawee Fergie and driver Carl Jamieson got the festivities underway with a :28¹ opening quarter mile.

“I didn’t get away as well as I wanted to,” Mayotte said afterward. “I was pretty careful after she had run last week. We got away pretty far back and I didn’t think that was going to help us.”

Armbro Balandra -– who was sent off as the 2-5 favourite -– shed the three hole early in the backstretch and powered to the lead. On the move from mid-pack was Stacelita, who was in rein to Phil Hudon. Passing the half mile marker in :58 seconds, Armbro Balandra parked Stacelita heading for the final turn.

As the action was heating up on the front-end, Mayotte was still patiently sitting in from eighth waiting for the perfect opportunity to pounce. He decided to tip Armbro Beseech out as they made their way to the final turn.

Armbro Balandra continued to tussle with Stacelita and reached the three-quarter pole in 1:27¹. Out three-wide when she passed the marker, Armbro Beseech had clear lanes ahead as she brought her charge to life.

After briefly tucking back into the pocket, Stacelita was brought out again for a late, and sure enough successful, bid for the front. Passing Armbro Balandra and fending off Yoko Hanover in the dying moments, Stacelita did not have enough left to repel Armbro Beseech, as she converted her trip after being six lengths back at the head of the lane.

“At the head of the lane I didn’t think I had a shot,” Mayotte added. “I was too far out of it getting around some dead horses.

“It was really late at the tote board and she was still coming. She reached up and grabbed the lead. I could just see the other horse on the inside really shortening up and my filly was still trotting forward, so that was all the difference.”

Trained by Bob Young, Armbro Beseech ($14.90, $7.50, $5.70) finished a half length in front of Stacelita ($7.30, $6.40), who completed a $93.30 exactor. Yoko Hanover ($8.10) and driver Trevor Ritchie were three-quarters of a length back in third and finished the $651.80 triactor.

Owned by Ontario-based connections consisting of the Soprano Stable, Stan Klemencic, David Dyment and the BLG Stable, Armbro Beseech notched her second triumph in six starts with the victory.

Unraced as a two-year-old and out of the Texas mare Keely Hanover, Armbro Beseech vaulted her bankroll to $26,076 with the effort.