Woodbine Mohawk Park: Donna Soprano battles back in Elegantimage

Donna Soprano fought back bravely in the homestretch after being collared early by 3-5 favorite Bella Bellini to capture Saturday's C$414,000 Elegantimage for 3-year-old trotting fillies at Woodbine Mohawk Park for driver Bob McClure. Donna Soprano scored in a 1:52 3/5 mile.

There was speed aplenty in the early stages as McClure shot Donna Soprano out from post five but yielded to the pair of Up And Ready and H P Mama B into the opening bend. HP Mama B and driver Sylvain Filion controlled the action in a 27 3/5 opener, but McClure wasted little time after clearing the first turn and sent Donna Soprano towards the front.

Dexter Dunn left patiently with Bella Bellini, but the race favorite was unable to find cover, so Dunn kept her in the outer tier and advanced patiently. Once Donna Soprano crossed the half in 56 3/5, Dunn and Bella Bellini made a bold move and cleared Donna Soprano late on the final turn after the 1:24 3/5 three-quarters.

In the homestretch it was Bella Bellini's race to win, but McClure and Donna Soprano were not done and came along the pylons in the late stages to get the better of the two. Katies Lucky Day, who followed Bella Bellini's cover most of the way, rallied late for third, with Beautiful Game fourth in the race.

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"Once I got the last turn out of the way, I could drive her more," said McClure in the winner's circle, giving indication that Donna Soprano could not accelerate on the turn with her rival but had more than enough power once the two hit the homestretch.

Luc Blais trains Donna Soprano, who returned $6.20 as the second choice. Serge Godin's Determination stable owns the daughter of Donato Hanover who won for just the third time in eight starts this year and avenged a seventh-place finish to Bella Bellini in the Hambletonian Oaks.