by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Toronto, ON — Misti Maiden, a 3-year-old daughter of Angus Hall, will headline this year’s group of sophomore trotting fillies coming into Monday night’s (April 11) C$60,000 Celias Counsel Stakes final at Woodbine.

The Frank Coville trainee scored the fastest elimination victory last week with a gate-to-wire, maiden-breaking score in 1:59 for driver and co-owner Jack Moiseyev.

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Misti Maiden is the 2-1 morning line favorite in the Celias Counsel final.

“That was the first time I have ever put her on the front and she responded well,” Moiseyev said. “She did everything I asked of her and she dug in well down the stretch.”

The Mo N Jo Stable, Peter and Murray Goldberg, and Michael Seidman purchased Misti Maiden for C$10,000 at the 2010 Fall Extravagenza Sale held by Standardbred Canada in late October. Since then, Misti Maiden has competed four times in 2011 with seasonal earnings of $12,582 and lifetime earnings of $14,444.

“When we bought her, we decided to turn her out for a few months. There was nothing wrong with her but we thought she would make a nice 3-year-old,” Moiseyev said.

Misti Maiden has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite in the fifth race and will begin from post four.

“She’s had a great week and is really easy on herself. I think she will do just fine in the final. There are some other nice fillies in the race so hopefully we get a little luck on our side.”

Despite the C$60,000 purse of the Celias Counsel on Monday, Moiseyev is hoping to have bigger paydays with his pupil.

“If everything turns out the way I hope it will, I think she should make a nice Ontario Sires Stakes horse this year. I think she has enough talent and speed to make a good showing of herself this summer.”