The forecast is for a blizzard on Thursday night at Woodbine Racetrack – two blizzards, in fact, as two $20,000 opening-leg divisions of the Blizzard Pacing Series for three and four-year-old fillies and mares will go postward as Races 4 and 6.

Among them is a filly who hasn’t quite reached her official third birthday – that will happen on Friday, New Year’s Day. But Kims Quest, a daughter of Royal Mattjesty, seems destined for bigger things. As she approaches that milestone, and the first leg of the Blizzard might be an opportune time to begin.

Though she has only one win to her credit thus far in eight starts, Kims Quest has demonstrated ability, and now is building on the consistency aspect of her resume.

In her last two starts – the second leg and the final of the Ontario Sired Autumn Series at Woodbine – Kims Quest has narrowly missed visiting the winner’s circle, showing a stalking style and good late speed for trainer Michael Grant and driver Luc Ouellette.

Having bounced back from the sick list, which kept her out of action through October and most of November, the Kims Quest’s recent form has earned her 5-2 favourite status in the first of the two Blizzard splits. She’ll leave from Post 4.

In the second division, Jeff Gillis trainee Slimsplace, a daughter of Artsplace who is also approaching her third birthday, has been gauged at 8-5 early.

A Breeders Crown contender in October (she was scratched sick from the final after placing fourth in her elimination), Slimsplace has also had some time off, but won her returning qualifier at Mohawk Racetrack on December 10 and then proceeded to pace home almost three lengths to the good in a $19,000 condition event the following week.

Slimsplace, who will be driven by Randy Waples, is listed at 8-5 despite drawing Post 7 in a field of nine.

The second leg of the Blizzard Pacing Series will go on Thursday, January 7, with the final the following week.

Click here to view the entries for Woodbine's Thursday card.

(With files from WEG)