by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Moonlit Dance and James MacDonald made a bold statement with a 1:52 victory in the opening leg of the Princess Series Friday night (April 24) at Mohawk Racetrack.

Just a single C$20,000 division, featuring a field of 11, was needed for the first leg of the three-week Princess Series for 3-year-old pacing fillies.

New Image Media photo

Moonlit Dance scored in 1:52 in the opening round of the Princess Series.

Moonlit Dance, the 9-5 favorite, turned in a razor-sharp performance to strike first in the series-opener.

Driven by MacDonald, Moonlit Dance got away early in fourth and would be right lined to the outside in the second quarter. The daughter of Art Major would eventually clear to the front before the final turn and took the field down to the three-quarter pole in a speedy 1:23.4.

In the stretch, Moonlit Dance quickly created several lengths of separation on her rivals and cruised home in :28.1 to score her first victory of the season by four lengths. Maplelea paced a :26.4 final quarter to come from tenth at the three-quarter pole to finish second, while Twin B Honour finished third.

Moonlit Dance is trained by Tony O’Sullivan for owner David Goodrow Stable. The sophomore pacing filly came into Friday night’s race having finished second in all three of her starts this season. The 1:52 victory is the second victory of her career and establishes a new career mark. Moonlit Dance’s career bankroll now sits at C$44,354. She returned $5.80 to win.

In order to be eligible to the Princess Series, the 3-year-old pacing fillies had to be non-winners of C$100,000 in 2014. The second leg of the Princess will take place next Friday (May 1) and series action continues Saturday night at Mohawk with the first leg of the Diplomat for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings. Post time is 7:25 p.m.