Bramalea Hanover repeats in Celias Counsel

Bramalea Hanover was a repeat winner while Sleek Agent posted a mild upset in Monday’s second leg of the Celias Counsel Trotting Series for three-year-old fillies at Woodbine Racetrack.

Bramalea Hanover was sent straight to the front in the opening $20,000 division for driver Steve Condren and got total respect from her rivals as she was able to steal away with soft fractions of :28, :58.2 and 1:28.3.

The pocket-sitting Christiana Hanover attempted an outside move at the top of the stretch, but Condren simply spoke to his filly who trotted away with authority to a 1:56.3 win. Highland Strikes rallied late to
just nip Christiana Hanover for the place spot.

“She had trouble in the first turn once before and I just wanted to make sure she was paying attention,”said driver Steve Condren when asked about his choice to race the filly on the lead after using off-the-pace tactics last week. “Tonight she was much better and I purposely drove her around the turn to keep her attention and teach her what it’s all about. She just seems to be getting smarter every week.”

Bramalea Hanover returned just $2.60 as the overwhelming favourite. It was the sixth win in just seven trips postward for the daughter of Windsongs Legacy - Bramasole who is trained by Bob McIntosh for owner Susan Grange of Cheltenham, Ontario.

In the second split, Sleek Agent took advantage of a perfect two-hole trip and a late break in stride by the heavily favoured Little River Dance to score in 1:57.3. Jack Moiseyev engineered the winning trip from post six with Little River Dance getting back on stride late to hold on for second and it was Rebas Song landing the show spot.

The daughter of Cantab Hall - So Fine Kash returned $12.40 in notching her first victory in three career tries for trainer Rene Laarman and owners Mel Hartman of Ontario and Riverview Farms of New Jersey.

The $60,000 Celias Counsel Trotting Series final will go postward next Monday night from Mohawk. (WEG)