A pair of talented three-year-olds kicked off their respective seasons with ultra-impressive performances Thursday evening at Woodbine Racetrack.
Major Dancer, who went 2-for-3 as a rookie, came off the bench for trainer Casie Coleman and delivered an authoritative score in 1:52.4 following a set of qualifying preps.
The three-year-old daughter of Art Major-Two Steppin Sally got away second, but brushed to the front in the backstretch for driver Jonathan Drury and wound up setting middle splits of :56.3 and 1:26.1 before blasting home in :26.3 to stop the teletimer in a career-best clocking of 1:52.4.
West Wins Stable, Mac Nichol and Adriano Sorella share ownership on the speedy sophomore, who was a $47,000 purchase from the 2012 Harrisburg Yearling Sale.
Melmerby Beach, who went 1-for-5 as a rookie for trainer Brent MacGrath, kicked off his year with a 1:51.4 triumph.
Paul MacDonell asked Melmerby Beach to go first-over against race favourite Cluster Hanover, who threw down fractions of :26.2, :56.2 and 1:25.1, and the son of Somebeachsomewhere-DB Blue Chip unloaded a final quarter clocked in :26.2 to win by 1-1/4 lengths.
Owned and bred by Schooner II STABLE of Bible Hill, Nova Scotia, Melmerby Beach pushed his lifetime earnings to $24,110 with the win.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.