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Ontario-sired three-year-old pacing and trotting fillies were out in full force for the eliminations of the WEG-SBOA Stakes on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack.

 

A pair of $25,000 eliminations were contested for both pacing and trotting divisions to determine the fields for next Saturday’s finals.

 

A group of 22 sophomore trotting fillies were split into two 11-horse eliminations.

 

In the first elimination, Stubborn Belle, last year’s O’Brien Award winner, made her 2015 debut a winning effort in 1:55.2.

 

Driven by Paul MacDonell, Stubborn Belle made a move from third to first in the second-quarter to take control at the half in :57.1. After posting a third-quarter of :28.2, Stubborn Belle trotted home under minimal urging to win by two and a quarter lengths. Meadow Seelster, who made a break after the start, made a huge comeback to finish second. Summers Jewel, Battle Mage and Tymal Illbthere rounded out the top five to secure spots in the final.

 

A daughter of Taurus Dream, Stubborn Belle is trained by John Bax and owned by Al Libfeld and Bax’s Parkhill Stud Farm. The sophomore trotting filly won five of 14 starts last season and compiled earnings of over $524,000.

 

Stubborn Belle returned $2.90 to win.

 

The second elimination saw Danielle Hall, last year’s Ontario Sires Stakes champion and O'Brien finalist, sent-off as the heavy favourite in her season's debut, but an early break from the star filly tossed the elimination up in the air.

 

Second Sister and driver Doug McNair showed early speed to grab the lead. Once on the front, McNair got to call all the shots and set fractions of :29, :58.1 and 1:26.4. In the stretch, Second Sister cruised home in :28.1 to win by three lengths over first-up challenger Kaddy in a 1:55. Yanks Ball Girl, Magic Shelley and Sumthintotalkabout picked up the remaining cheques and also earned spots in the final. Following her break, Danielle Hall caught the field and was able to finish sixth.

 

A daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe, Second Sister is trained by Gregg McNair for owner Jarold Hawks. The trotting filly finished third last week in her season's debut. Last year, Second Sister won three of eight starts and earned $55,760. Her clocking of 1:55 Saturday night established a new career mark.

 

Second Sister paid $26.70 to win.

 

On the pacing side, a total of 20 three-year-old fillies were split evenly into two 10-horse eliminations.

 

In the first elimination, Ms Mac N Cheese was able to overcome post 10 to win in 1:52.4.

 

Driven by Sylvain Filion, Ms Mac N Cheese, the 2-1 favourite, sprinted off the gate and was able to make the front from the far outside. The public’s choice set fractions of :26.4 and :55.4 before being challenged around the final turn. Ms Mac N Cheese reached the three-quarter pole in 1:24.1 with a first-over challenger at her wheel. In the stretch, the favourite turned aside all rivals to create some separation and paced home in :28.3 to win in 1:52.4. Code One Hanover, who got a two-hole trip, was able to close in on the leader in late stretch to finish second and narrow the margin of victory down to a length. Wrangler Magic, Capela and Southwind Ginger finished in the money and earned the final three spots in next week’s final.

 

A daughter of Badlands Hanover, Ms Mac N Cheese is trained by Richard Moreau for owner David Ratchford. The sophomore pacing filly is now two-for-two this season and nine-for-12 in her career with nearly $85,000 in earnings. Ms Mac N Cheese lowered her career-mark by a fifth of a second with Saturday night’s victory.

 

She returned $6.10 to win.

 

Solar Sister, the even-money favourite, made it a sweep of the pacing eliminations by post 10 starters with a 1:53 victory.

 

Driven by Doug McNair, Solar Sister sprinted to the front from post 10 and was able to reach the pylons at the opening quarter in :26.2. The public’s choice was then able to call the shots and posted fractions of :56 and 1:24.4. In the stretch, Solar Sister kept her momentum going and held off her rivals with a :28.1 final quarter to win. Five horses battled across the track for the remaining spots in the final one length behind. Delightful Hill came charging from the backfield to finish second. Win The Gold, Much Adoo and Twin B Honour rounded out the top five.