by Greg Blanchard, media/communications, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Campbellville, ON — First Draw and Michelle’s Idea were both mild upsetters in the second leg of the Princess Pacing Series for 3-year-old fillies during opening night of the summer meet at Mohawk Racetrack on Thursday evening, May 1.

First Draw, with Jack Moiseyev driving, made a move to the front in the second quarter of the opening C$25,000 split and held all her rivals at bay with a 1:56.2 clocking. The daughter of Art Major-Western Duel turned back Windsong Eva and Thebeastfromtheast for her fourth win of the season.

First Draw has now won three of her last four starts for Darren McCall who trains for the Stake Your Claim Stable of New Jersey and Mitchell Simbal of Nevada. She returned $21.60 for the win.

Michelle’s Idea used similar tactics in the second division, taking over command just before the half and then going the rest of the way on the lead in an identical 1:56.2 clocking. Santa Fe Yankee was a game runner-up with favorite Shipps Bikini coming on late to pick up the show spot.

It was the first win of the year in six outings for the daughter of Western Hanover-Michelle’s Dream who is trained by Ian Reid for the Island Heat Stable and James Smith of Guelph, Ontario. She rewarded her backers with a $27.30 win ticket return.

The C$71,000 Princess Series Final will be contested next Thursday night (May 8) at Mohawk.