by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — The opening round of the Celias Counsel Series kicked off on Monday evening (April 15) at Woodbine with a pair of C$15,000 divisions on tap.

Both post time favorites, Standing My Ground and Miss Panthers, found the wire first for their respective connections.

New Image Media photo

Standing My Ground won the fastest division in a time of 1:56.1.

In the opening dash of the 12-race program, Standing My Ground, driven by Chris Christoforou, scored a convincing win in 1:56.1 — the fastest division.

Lily Pad Hanover (Billy Davis, Jr.) marched to the front well before the opening panel in :27.2 while Half Bent (Randy Waples) raced in the pocket and Standing My Ground sat third.

Heading towards the half, Half Bent cleared around Lily Pad Hanover, but the lead wouldn’t last long as Standing My Ground looped around her before the half in :57.3.

Standing My Ground then began to open up on her seven rivals as she cruised past three-quarters in 1:26.3 en route to her 5-3/4 length score. Rockin With Dewey (Mario Baillargeon) came from off the pace to finish second with Georgia Baby (Phil Hudon) third.

Standing My Ground remains undefeated in two starts this season as she celebrated a career-best score for trainer Nick Gallucci and owners Chris Beaver, Synerco Ventures and David Lang.

The daughter of Amigo Hall, who increased her career bankroll to C$42,300 with the victory, paid $5.50 to win.

Miss Panthers and Luc Ouellette crossed the wire first two races later in 1:58.3.

Hunter Valley (Roger Mayotte) was the first leader past the opening station in :27.3. The lead would not last long as Samartina (Paul MacDonell) brushed to the front before Miss Panthers marched past her at the half in :58.3.

From there, Miss Panthers led her seven rivals past three-quarters in 1:28.3, before dashing home to win by 1-1/4 lengths.

The daughter of Classic Photo notched her second career victory and first of the season for owner/trainer Fredrik Persson. She paid $5.20 to win.

The Celias Counsel Series is for 3-year-old fillies who were non-winners of C$30,000 lifetime in 2012. The second leg of the series is scheduled for Thursday (April 25), with the C$25,000 final slated for Monday (May 6).