by Greg Blanchard. WEG Media

Campbellville, ON — Poof She’s Gone ran her unbeaten streak to five while establishing a new stakes record of 1:55.2 in one of two divisions of the Champlain Stakes for 2-year-old filly trotters on Monday night (Sept. 7) at Mohawk Racetrack. The other division fell to Angostura in a sharp clocking of 1:56.1.

Paul MacDonell piloted Poof She’s Gone to a stakes record 1:55.2 score in the first Champlain Stakes division.

Paul MacDonell was subbing for regular driver David Miller behind Poof She’s Gone and had the filly away in fourth position early from post one. MacDonell then wasted no time in moving his charge to the front in the second quarter and she led the rest of the way. The daughter of Kadabra-Travelin Superlite finished 2-1/2 lengths ahead of a fast-closing Tequila Slammer with Royal Clout closing up to finish another four lengths back in third. The winner returned a paltry $2.40.

“She’s a very impressive filly, she did that very handily and under wraps,” said driver Paul MacDonell. “She has a great future ahead of her. She made the lead down the backstretch pretty much on her own terms, and I basically pulled the plugs and kept her alert down the stretch and never asked her for too much. She was well within herself in 1:55.2.”

Poof She’s Gone improved her overall record this season to five wins in six starts for owners Mel Hartman, John Fielding, Herb Liverman and David McDuffee. The lion’s share of the C$156,328 purse improved the Richard Norman trainees earnings to just over C$440,000.

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Angostura split rivals in the stretch to score a narrow victory in the second Champlain Stakes split.

In the second division, which went for a purse of C$154,328, Trevor Ritchie was able to work out a perfect two-hole trip for Angostura and the Angus Hall-Peluso filly got up late between rivals to score a narrow victory. Ruffles was able to land the place spot with race favorite Cantab It Hall finishing three-quarters of a length back in third. Angostura was sent off as the second choice in the wagering and kicked back $5.70 to win.

“She can roll out of there nice and that can be pretty handy; it’s certainly a big asset.” said Ritchie. “I was a little impatient down the backstretch. I was going to go back around to the front, but Ronnie (Ron Pierce-driving pacesetting Ruffles) decided I wasn’t, so I dropped back in behind him. I got lucky late in the lane when things opened up and she trotted through strong.”

It was the third win in just four career tries for Angostura who is owned and trained by Dan Creighton. The victory vaulted her past C$138,000 in seasonal earnings.

Both winners are eligible to the upcoming Peaceful Way Stakes with eliminations scheduled for next Monday night (Sept. 14) at Mohawk.