Grand River: Battle Of The Belles elims go to Jersey Bulldog, Money Carlo

Bob McClure drove Jersey Bulldog and Money Carlo, two daughters of Bulldog Hanover, to victories in a pair of C$10,000 Battle Of The Belles eliminations for Ontario-sired 2-year-old pacing fillies on Monday evening at Grand River Raceway.

In the first elimination Aceandaten (Doug McNair) led through stations of 26, 55 and 1:23, but Jersey Bulldog, who got away third and then inherited a loose pocket going to three-quarters when Lyons Bulldog (Mark MacDonald) made a break, tipped out on the final bend, went by the pace-setter and prevailed by three lengths in 1:51 4/5. Aceandaten was second, followed by Silk Lace (Jody Jamieson), In This Moment (Louis Roy) and Aint She A Pistol (Travis Cullen).

Bred by Mark Mullen and Dr. Stephen Dey III, Jersey Bulldog is co-owned by trainer John Pentland along with Sherri Sumner, Jack Darling Stables Ltd. and Alan Alber. She has two wins and a second from four outings, has banked C$44,500 and returned $4.80 to win as the second choice.

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Money Carlo and McClure took the other elimination by two lengths in 1:52 after they led to the quarter in 27 seconds, the half in 55 4/5 and the three-quarters in 1:24 1/5. Lyons Flurry (Roy) was rebuffed by the eventual winner from first-up but held second from Cattle Belle (Jamieson). Cupcakesontuesday (McNair) and Rhymes With Regina (James MacDonald) were fourth and fifth, respectively.

Dr. Ian Moore trains Money Carlo for owner Brad Grant. The Steve Jones-bred has a three-for-three record in the win column, has put away C$105,000 and returned $2.10 to win.

The Battle Of The Belles final will be part of the stakes-filled Industry Day program next Monday at Grand River Raceway.