Eighteen sophomore fillies squared off in Thursday’s opening leg of the Celias Counsel Series for trotters at Mohawk Racetrack, with Brinkers Dream and Hape winning their respective assignments.

Brinkers Dream went to the front and didn’t look back en route to a maiden-breaking score in 1:56.1 for the tandem of driver Paul MacDonell and trainer John Bax.

The daughter of Taurus Dream-Gypsy Balance, who made a break in her pari-mutuel debut earlier this month, was all business through fractions of :27.3, :57.2 and 1:26.3. Nothing changed over the final quarter of the contest when she kicked home in a :30-second clip to win by a half-length margin over Tymal Signature. Third prize in the $15,000 tilt went to JLS Too Hot Taj.

Owned by Dave Hudson of Dallas, Texas, Brinkers Dream pushed her lifetime earnings to $8,620 with the win.

Hape was treated to a ground-saving trip in the second division, and the trotting lass used that to her advantage in the late stages of the mile.

In rein to trainer/driver Jack Moiseyev, the daughter of Pilgrims Taj-Carnac sat third while Giona and Dance For Me Sasha took turns on the lead through intervals of :28.3, :58 and 1:28.1. Hape was angled off the rail at the three-quarter pole, and she used a :28.4 closing quarter to win by a half-length margin over 91-1 longshot Giona in 1:57.2. Mass Rail came on late to finish third.

Joanne Colville of Moffat and Nancy MacNevin of Essex, Ontario share ownership on the three-time winner, who was making her first start of the season. The 1:57.2 performance for the 5-2 favourite matched her lifetime best. The lion’s share of the loot lifted her career earnings to $35,400.

To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.