Winners impress in Celias Counsel opener

Bramalea Hanover and Little River Dance were both impressive winners in their respective divisions of the opening leg of the Celias Counsel Trotting Series for three-year-old fillies on Monday night at Woodbine Racetrack.

Bramalea Hanover, a $180,000 yearling from the 2008 Harrisburg Sale, used first-over tactics to capture the first $20,000(C) split for driver Steve Condren in 1:58.2. The daughter of Windsong's Legacy-Bramasole wore down tempo-setting Christiana Hanover who held the place spot over Sleek Agent.

“This is a very well-bred filly, and I was talking to Bob McIntosh the other day and he was telling me he thinks she has a bit of future,” said Condren. “She’s still on the green side, and realistically I don’t know a whole lot about her because this was the first time I’ve sat behind her but so far I’m very impressed.”

It was the first drive this season at Woodbine for Condren who had spent the winter months in Florida. The winner returned a popular $2.90 in notching her fifth win in six starts this season for trainer Bob McIntosh and owner Susan Grange of Cheltenham, Ontario.

In the second division, Little River Dance made a quarter-pole move to the front for owner-driver Brad Kramer and then cruised to an easy 1:57.2 tally - fastest of the two divisions. The daughter of Angus Hall-Benn's Riverdance turned back an onrushing Highland Strikes with longshot Dekorra landing the show spot.

“Her mother was a big-time performer, and this one’s made a lot of mistakes or she would be, too,” said Kramer. “She certainly doesn’t lack in ability. I left her at the racetrack with Butch Dokey and he did a great job. Hes very hands-on with the horse and he got her over being nervous. Barry (trainer Drury) and his wife Pat are the same way, I’ve know them for a long time.”

The filly returned $4 as the bettors' choice while picking up her second win in three starts this season for Kramer who owns along with Timothy Hall of Michigan and Richard Siedel and Scott Macarthur of New Jersey. Kramer also bred the filly who surpassed $40,000 in earnings with the win.

The Celias Counsel Trotting Series will continue with second-round action next Monday night from Woodbine.(WEG)