by Greg Blanchard, WEG media

Toronto, ON — It was a disastrous day for favorites as the Blizzard Pacing Series for fillies and mares kicked off on New Year’s Eve Day (Dec. 31) at Woodbine Racetrack, the final program of the 2009 racing season in Toronto.

Miss Sand Creek and driver Alex Lilley won the first division in 1:56.4.

In the first of two C$20,000 divisions, it was heavily-backed Kim’s Quest who faltered after an inside following trip and ended up third behind mild upsetter Miss Sand Creek and driver Alex Lilley who stopped the clock in 1:56.4. The rookie daughter of Red River Hanover-Silver Road rallied from sixth at the half to win going away by 4-1/2 lengths over the first-over Kissing Camels. The winner returned $11.20 to her backers.

It was the third win in 10 tries this season for the filly who is co-owned by Ed Mullinax along with trainer Gerald Lilley. The win bumped her seasonal earnings to just over C$31,000.

There was an even bigger upset in the second division when the prohibitive top choice, Slimsplace, was visibly not herself and faltered badly to finish distanced in the field.

That opened the door for the remaining competitors and it was newcomer Mcgain N Mcgain who came through for driver Roger Mayotte from off-the-pace in 1:57.4. The 2-year-old daughter of McArdle-Onceagain also rallied from sixth at the half to win by 2-1/2 lengths over Allamerican Damsel and A Big Like Britt.

New Image Media photos

Mcgain N Mcgain scored for Roger Mayotte in 1:57.4.

The filly, who had shipped in from Balmoral Park in Chicago, was winning for the first time in just her second career start for owners Rob Rittof and Gail and Robert Sanders. She kicked back $23.90 to win and triggered a triactor worth $12,116.40.

The second leg of the Blizzard Pacing Series will go postward next Thursday night (Jan. 7) at Woodbine.

Also, on closing day, conditioner Tracy Brainard wrapped up her first WEG trainer’s title, 107-106, over defending champion Ben Baillargeon. Brainard entered the afternoon with a one-win lead over Baillargeon and both trainers were shutout on the card.

Live racing resumes at Woodbine on New Year’s Day at 1:20 p.m. There will also be live action on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. and the first Sunday afternoon program of 2010 the following day at 1:20 p.m.