CAMPBELLVILLE, April 27 – The second leg of the harness racing Celias Counsel series Thursday night at Mohawk saw a repeat winner and a filly break her maiden.
A pair $15,000 divisions were contested Thursday evening in the second round of the three-week Celias Counsel series for three-year-old trotting fillies.
In the first division, Hape and trainer/driver Jack Moiseyev returned to the winner's circle for the second leg in a row with a 1:57.3 victory.
A daughter of Pilgrims Taj, Hape came first up from third in the second-quarter and cleared to the front before the final turn. After reaching the three-quarter pole in 1:27.4, Hape drew away from her rivals in the stretch to score a four-length victory.
Giona finished second, while Allies Gift took third.
Hape is now two for two in 2015 and has an opportunity next week to sweep the Celias Counsel series. The sophomore trotting filly is owned by Joanne Colville and Nancy MacNevin.
Hape's career record now sits at four wins from 12 starts for earnings of over $42,000. The clocking of 1:57.3 missed her lifetime mark by just a fifth of a second.
Hape returned $6.20 to win.
In the second division, Tymal Signature broke her maiden with a 1:57.3 triumph.
Driven by Mario Baillargeon, Tymal Signature would be situated in the two-hole around the final turn. After leader Ladyone reached the three-quarter pole in 1:26.3, Baillargeon brought his filly off the cones and trotted right on by to score a 2 ¼ length victory.
Ladyone just held on to finish second over Flexceptional.
A daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe, Tymal Signature is trained by Mark Etsell, who shares ownership with Robert Newton and Steve Organ.
The three-year-old trotting filly entered Thursday's second leg off a second-place finish in the opening round a week ago. Tymal Signature's first victory comes in her ninth start of the season and 11th of her career.
The Etsell trainee now has a career bankroll of over $24,000.
Tymal Signature paid $11.40 to win.
In order to be eligible to the Celias Counsel series, the three-year-old trotting fillies had to be non-winners of $30,000 in 2014.
The top-ten money earners from the first two rounds of the series will contest the Celias Counsel final next Thursday (April 30).
Mark McKelvie