The second round of the Blizzard Pacing Series was contested on Thursday at Woodbine Racetrack, and both divisions saw the winners close from well off
the pace.
Miss Sand Creek, who rallied to a 1:56.4 win in the first leg of the series, used come-from-behind tactics to take Thursday’s opening split in 1:55.4 for driver Alex Lilley. The three-year-old daughter of Red River Hanover was third over turning for home before unleashing a :28.4 final frame to win by more than a length. The Mistress, who was sent off at 42-1, closed well to finish second and Windsun Celestial was third.
Trainer Gerald Lilley co-owns the four-time winner, who has banked $41,280 to date, with Ed Mullinax of Amherst, Ohio.
First-time starter A Pippin Hanover uncorked a late rally of her own to take the second division by a neck in 1:56.4. A :28.1 final quarter kick propelled the three-year-old Dragon Again miss past the pacesetter, Kims Quest, in the closing strides. That filly held on to finish second with Joeys Girl rounding out the top three.
Kris Di Cenzo trains the well-bred youngster, who was a $140,000 Lexington Select Yearling Sale purchase, for owner Antonio Chiaravalle of Hamilton, ON. The filly is a half-sister to Appleoosa Hanover (1:52.1 – $519,187).
The $60,000 final of the Blizzard Pacing Series is scheduled for Thursday, January 14 at Woodbine Racetrack.
To view Thursday’s results, click here.