Thirteen sophomore pacing fillies sparred in a set of Autumn Stakes eliminations Friday evening at Woodbine Racetrack, with Apach Of Luck and coming away victorious in their respective $25,000 assignments.

Apach Of Luck got up in the closing strides to take the first elimination in a time of 1:55.2 in what was her debut for WEG’s top trainer of 2012, Richard Moreau.

Sylvain Filion, who got away fifth with the daughter of Camluck-Exonerated, watched Greystone Ladylike and Drunk And Dramatic take turns on the lead through panels of :28.1, :57.2 and 1:25.3 before rallying Apach Of Luck to the half-length win over Shadys M Three. The Speed Of Music rounded out the top three finishers in the six-horse affair.

“I was very pleased with her effort,” said Filion. “Richard (trainer Moreau) didn’t know much about her. He just told me he made a few adjustments, he really liked her warming up and that she seemed pretty handy. We went on from there. Luckily enough we got a good trip. When I tipped her off cover, she went on even though it was really windy. There’s a strong head wind. She showed determination and that’s what I like about a racehorse.”

It was the third win of the season for the homebred, who went winless in eight starts last season for the partnership of Doug and Dennis Belan of Oil Springs and Brian Fitzgerald of Dresden, ON. The $12,500 payday lifted her lifetime earnings to $47,080.

Aubsession brushed to the lead in the backstretch in the second elimination, and once the 6-5 favourite cleared to the top it was game over for everyone else.

In rein to Jody Jamieson, Aubsession got away third and watched Trama Unit throw down first-half fractions of :28.2 and :57.4 before forging past the foe shortly past the mid-way point. Aubsession zipped by the three-quarter pole in 1:25.1 and then used a :29.2 closing panel to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Trama Unit. Two Step Turn came on late to grab the show dough.

“She looked like the class of the field,” said Jamieson, WEG’s leading driver. “The bettors thought the same. With a good effort next week, I think she will be right there with Greystone Ladylike (fourth-place finisher in the first elim). I think she’ll be a little better next week and obviously the (first elim) winner (Apach Of Luck). I’m excited for next week. It looks like we have a shot.”

The victory was the sixth of the season for the Bill Budd-trained daughter of Lis Mara-L Dees Cathy T. Jocelyn Gagnon of Hamilton and Gloria Aubertin of Dunnville, ON share ownership on the career winner of $59,855.

The top five finishers from each elimination advance to the $60,000 final set for Friday, November 30. Elimination winners earned the privilege to select their post positions for the final.

(With quotes from WEG)

To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.