Showdown set for 3FP's

My Little Dragon and Bolero Toki each paced to career-best miles in winning their respective eliminations for the Mistletoe Shalee for 3-year-old filly pacers Friday night at the Meadowlands. My Little Dragon rushed past Darlin's Delight in the first $25,000 elim to score in 1:50.2, while Bolero Toki rallied up the inside to surge past Bikini Bottom to win the second split in 1:50.4.

My Little Dragon was driven by Brian Sears, who sent his charge first-up around the final turn to take aim at Darlin's Delight (Yannick Gingras), who had moved to the lead approaching the :54 half. Although Darlin's Delight had gotten the measure of My Little Dragon in their two previous match-ups this year, the tables were turned as last year's Dan Patch Award winner went on to the victory. Eternity's Delight (Tony Morgan) took third, while Lonesome Day was fourth and Armbro Dancer fifth, earning their way into the $350,000 final on Hambletonian day, Saturday, Aug. 5.

My Little Dragon, a daughter of Dragon Again, is trained by Noel Daley and owned by Adam Victor & Son Stable.

In the second elim, Andy Miller and Bolero Toki cleared to the lead coming out of the first turn, and then let Western Gallie and driver Gingras go to the front. Approaching the three-quarters David Miller sent Bikini Bottom up first-over, and was able to open a clear lead down the stretch. When Gingras moved Western Gallie over to make a bid at the leader, Andy Miller seized the opportunity to move up the inside with Bolero Toki. With a clear shot it was no contest as Bolero Toki surged to the victory. Bikini Bottom held for second with Grandiose Gal (Daniel Dube) third. Western Gallie held on for fourth with Niagara Queen fifth.

A daughter of Western Hanover, Bolero Toki is trained by Erv Miller for owner Daniel Martin.

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