by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — Jimbelina will have an opportunity at a Niagara Series sweep on Boxing Day following a sharp 1:52.3 score in Friday’s (Dec. 16) second leg at Woodbine Racetrack.

The Rene Bourassa trainee cruised to a strong three-length victory in the second of two C$17,000 Niagara Series divisions Friday.

New Image Media photo

Jimbelina is poised to remain perfect in Niagara Series action next week after a win in the second leg at Woodbine on Friday evening.

Driven by Sylvain Filion, Jimbelina was fired out from post six to the lead and posted an opening quarter-mile of :26.4. After middle half-mile fractions of :56 and 1:25, the Bourassa trainee kicked home through the frigid Woodbine air in a snappy :27.3 for her third consecutive victory.

Queenofthejungle finished second, while Norcross Blue Chip was third.

A daughter of Big Jim, Jimbelina now has nine wins in 18 starts this season for earnings of C$53,880. The sophomore pacing filly is owned by Roland Trudel.

Jimbelina paid $2.80 to win.

The evening’s first division saw P L Jasmine score a mild 5-1 upset for her first victory of 2016.

Driven by Doug McNair, P L Jasmine got away sixth in a field of seven. Hot Spot Hanover, the 6-5 favorite, made a second quarter-mile move to the lead from third to overtake first leg winner Icthelight Hanover for command.

The public’s choice posted middle half fractions of :57.4 and 1:26.3, while Docs Diva came first-up and started the outer flow, allowing McNair to situate P L Jasmine third-over on the far turn. In the stretch, Hot Spot Hanover edged away from her rivals and appeared to have a victory within sight. However, P L Jasmine delivered a strong :27.3 final quarter-mile and was able to shoot by Hot Spot Hanover in the final strides to win by a 1-1/4 lengths in 1:55.

Misty De Vie finished third, while Icthelight Hanover couldn’t repeat her week one performance and finished sixth.

A daughter of Badlands Hanover, P L Jasmine came into Friday’s second leg winless in 18 starts this season. The Rob McMillan trainee finished fifth in last week’s opening leg. P L Jasmine now has over C$22,000 banked this season and Friday’s third career victory brings her career earnings total to C$42,676 for owner Prince Lee Acres.

A $2 win ticket on P L Jasmine returned $13.20

Three-year-old pacing fillies, who were non-winners of C$60,000 lifetime as of Oct. 31, 2016, were eligible for nomination to the Niagara Series.

The C$33,400 Niagara Series final will take place on Woodbine’s special Boxing Day matinee card on Monday (Dec. 26). The C$35,400 Valedictory Series final will also be held on Boxing Day.

Live racing continues Saturday night (Dec. 17) at Woodbine with an 11-race card, featuring the second leg of the Valedictory and a C$34,000 Preferred Pace. Post time is 7:30 p.m.