CAMPBELLVILLE, ONT – April 14 – Hills Angel, Wanaka and Windsong Magic scored first leg victories in Thursday night's Celias Counsel Series at Mohawk Racetrack.
A total of 24 three-year-old trotting fillies were split into three $16,000 divisions for the first leg of the three-week event.
Hills Angel made a second-quarter move to the lead and never looked back en route to a 2:01.3 victory in the first division. The John Bax trainee got away fourth heading into the first turn for driver Paul MacDonell. Trotting into a stiff backstretch wind, Hills Angel moved from fourth to first to lead by the half in 1:02.3.
After a third-quarter of :31, Hills Angel was able to sprint home and hold off her rivals to win by half a length in 2:01.3. True Muscle finished second, while Dottie was third.
A daughter of Muscle Hill, Hills Angel was making her 2016 debut after winning once in 10 starts as a rookie. She is owned by Bax Stable-Glengate Farms.
Hills Angel increased her career earnings to $32,820 with the victory. She paid $3.80.
The second division was a showdown between Flowers N Song, the 3/5 favourite, and Wanaka, the 3/2 second-choice.
Wanaka got away second, but was quickly circled to the lead at the opening-quarter by driver Trevor Henry. The public's second-choice took the field by the half in :59.3, while Flowers N Song began to charge up from fourth for driver Doug McNair.
Flowers N Song surged up to overtake the lead from Wanaka and post a three-quarter time of 1:28.1. In the stretch, Henry angled his charge off the back of Flowers N Songs and Wanaka sprinted by to win by 4 ½ lengths in 1:56.4.
Flowers N Song had to settle for second, while P L Jill was third.
A daughter of Manofmanymissions, Wanaka now has four wins in nine starts this season for trainer Shannon Henry. The sophomore trotting filly is owned by Trevor Henry Stables Inc. and 1035840 Ontario Inc.
Wanaka surpassed $50,000 in career earnings with Thursday's victory. She paid $5 to win.
In the third division, Bax trainees were front and centre again with a one-two finish.
Bax pupil Miami Magic was put on the front by driver Steve Byron, while stablemate Windsong Magic and driver MacDonell followed closely behind in second.
The Bax trainees switched positions heading to the half and that would be the final front-end move. Windsong Magic put up middle-fractions of :59 and 1:29.3, before trotting home in :28.2 to win by 2 ½ lengths in 1:58. Miami Magic finished second, while Smash Hit was third.
A daughter of Kadabra, Windsong Magic improved her 2016 record to four wins in seven starts with Thursday's victory. The sophomore trotting filly, who was unraced at two, is owned by Kristine Green and Paulette Loyens.
Windsong Magic lowered her career-mark by two-fifths of a second with the victory and pushed her bankroll to $29,240. She paid $3.30 to win.
In order to be eligible to the Celias Counsel, the three-year-old trotting fillies had to be non-winners of $30,000 in 2015. The second leg will take place next Thursday (April 21).
Live racing continues Friday night at Mohawk Racetrack. Post time is 7:30 p.m.