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

, March 14, 2005… Serenity Seelster and Lady D M both toured the Woodbine winner’s circle Monday evening, as a pair of C$17,000 opening leg divisions of the Silver Reign Pacing Series for three-year-old fillies highlighted the docket.

Recently crowned the 2005 champion of the Miss Vera Bars Series, Serenity Seelster ($3.50, $3.30, $2.40), who was in rein to Tony Kerwood, grabbed the lead in the final turn and froze the clock in 1:55.1 during the first dash.

A daughter of Camluck out of Scooter Love, Serenity Seelster sat in third as Lady Lola (Roger Mayotte) was first to the quarter pole in :27.3. Popping the pocket and clearing early, Northern Diligence (Paul MacDonell) took her turn on the engine and met the half-mile marker in :56.4. Going first-up from third just prior to the second call, Serenity Seelster made the front on the turn, spun off the three-quarters in 1:25.1 and jogged home with a 30-second final panel.

Charted in fifth and three-wide at the three-quarters, driver-trainer Doug Brown and KG Delight ($4.50, $2.90) closed well and bottomed out the $20.80 exactor after finishing 2¾-lengths in arrears. Receiving a pocket trip after going first-up to the lead early, Murray Brethour-trained Northern Diligence ($2.10) was 3½-lengths back in third and completed the $30.50 triactor.

“We’ve been very happy, she just continues to surprise us,” said Garth Bechtel, who co-owns Serenity Seelster with his brother Glenn Bechtel and the mare’s conditioner, John MacMillan. “With the way she races down the stretch she’s always there at the end.

“We’ve had her for about six months or so, and it was my brother and [MacMillan] who found her,” continued Bechtel. “She was a little bit of a lively mare who always had a little bit of trouble getting up to the gate. In fact, the first time we raced her she ran through the infield but then went out and won.”

A career winner of six dashes, Serenity Seelster now has a seasonal record of 3-0-0 and after five starts.

“She is very serious once she gets to the racetrack,” Bechtel explained. “She’s about the size of a pony; she’s very small. We think that maybe she’ll grow up and as a four-year-old do very well. She’s very tiny but lovely to work with.”

WEG Photo

Lady D M took two seconds off of her life’s mark in the 2nd division of the Silver Reign Pacing Series.

Unbeaten in her seven lifetime starts at Western Fair Raceway, Lady D M ($2.70, $2.10, $2.10) notched her first ever at Woodbine in the evening’s second division, as she was thoroughly convincing in 1:56.2.

Driven by Mike Saftic for conditioner Andy Hardy, Lady D M (D M Dilinger—Susie Q) sat third as Fame Supreme (Roger Mayotte) went to the opening quarter in :28.1. Going first-up and clearing in the second panel, Lady D M reached the half-mile pole in :57.4 and passed the three-quarters timer in 1:27.2. Completely wrapped up in the lane, Lady D M came home with a 29-second final quarter-mile for her eighth career tally.

Taking two seconds off of her life’s mark with the effort, Lady D M pushed her career bankroll to $49,900 for breeder Melanie Parkinson and Parkinson Farms of Lucan, Ontario.

“[Lady D M] has a nice way of moving and she really raced well in that first series that she was here for [Miss Vera Bars],” said victorious driver Mike Saftic. “We had a nice little soft bunch in there today and she did it right.”

Driven by Mario Baillargeon for conditioner Jared Bothwell, Hummnahummnahummna ($3.00, $2.60) closed along the cones and completed a $7.50 exactor after finishing 4¼-lengths in arrears. Trained by Bruce MacDonald and piloted by Steve Byron, On Fantasy Island ($3.70) bottomed the $27.00 triactor and finished 4½-lengths back in third.

“I wanted to maybe race her from off the pace or with some cover, but there were only six in there, so I sat with her past the quarter and then moved her to the front,” continued Saftic.

“She’s not grabby, she waits on you, but as soon as you ask her to go she changes gears.”

The Silver Reign Pacing Series continues next Monday, March 21 at Woodbine with C$17,000 second leg action.