by Greg Blanchard. WEG Media

Toronto, ON — Kandor Hanover delivered as the favorite while NF Freestyle posted an upset in Monday’s (April 6) first leg of the Celias Counsel Trotting Series for 3-year-old fillies over a Woodbine Racetrack rated as ‘good’ after a day of freezing rain and snow.

Kandor Hanover was a 2:02 winner in the opening division.

Kandor Hanover was taken off the pace in the opening C$20,000 contest by driver Randy Waples and made her move towards the front in the second quarter. When the leader, Blue Blush, made a break in stride on the last turn, Kandor Hanover inherited the lead and would widen the margin to 11-3/4 lengths at the finish in 2:02. Longshot Arbor Pompom Girl came on to pick up the place spot with Jayport Cindy rounding out the top three. Kandor Hanover returned a popular $2.20 in winning.

It was the second win in 11 tries this season for the daughter of Tagliabue-Katelyns Glory who is owned by trainer John Burns along with the Online Stables of Ontario and Patrick Huber of Ohio.

New Image Media photos

NF Freestyle broke her maiden with a 2:03.3 victory in the second division.

In the second split, NF Freestyle used the opposite approach by blasting to the front from post six for driver Sylvain Filion and taking no prisoners en route to a 2:03.3 victory. Beazy was 1-1/4 lengths back in second spot with Last Strike landing the show spot.

It was career win number one for the daughter of Tom Ridge-Set Me Free who was purchased recently by George Groulx, Jr. of Gatineau, Quebec and moved into the care of WEG’s leading trainer Ben Baillargeon.

NF Freestyle returned a whopping $51.60 for the win.

The Celias Counsel Series will continue next Monday night from Woodbine.