The opening leg of the Damsel Pacing Series kicked off at Woodbine Racetrack on Thursday evening

, with a pair of $35,000 divisions on tap for three and four-year-old females.

Last to the quarter pole but first to the finish line was the story in the opening tilt for Rip Rockin Lady, who swept by rivals in deep stretch to earn the 1:54.1 decision.

Luc Ouellette handled the lines for trainer Todd Buter, who hadn’t raced the four-year-old Keystone Raider miss since winning the $44,200 final of the Niagara Pacing Series at Woodbine Racetrack on December 29, 2008.

The homebred, who went 8-for-19 last season, got up in the final strides en route to posting the 14th win of her career. P H Dreamer was second best in the seven-horse affair, with B M Mcw taking home the show dough.

William & Carol Fuhs, James Marion and Lynette Buter of Michigan hold the papers on the mare, who now boasts a $98,371 bankroll.

Randy Waples worked out a pocket trip for Designated Leader, and she converted it into a 1:54 victory in the second division. It was the second win of the 2009 campaign for the Murray Brethour pupil.

Designated Leader to the field to the quarter in :27 seconds before getting covered up for the middle half of the mile by even-money favourite Windsong Experanza. That mare chopped out middle splits of :56.3 and 1:25.1 before being pulled on by the pocket sitter.

Designated Leader gobbled up the leader and used a :28.3 final frame to post the 1:54 decision. Michelles Idea shot up the rail to grab the runner-up award and Gottogetoutmore weaved through traffic in the lane to finish third.

Bill Manes, Robert Little, Bill Cripps and Paul Sabourin share ownership on Designated Leader, who has stashed away more than $140,000 in career earnings.

Round two of the Damsel Pacing Series is scheduled to go behind the starting gate next Thursday evening at Woodbine Racetrack, with the $64,000 (est.) slate to go on Thursday, March 26.

To view Thursday’s results, click here.