While American harness racing fans feasted on turkey and all the fixings on Thursday, racing fans at Woodbine Racetrack sunk their teeth into a 12-race program which featured a set of $20,000 Autumn Stake eliminations for
two-year-old pacing fillies.
The opening tilt for the gals went to V C Asteroid in 1:56. The daughter of Astreos-Cambloid enjoyed a third-over trip before blasting off cover and kicking out a :28.1 final frame en route to the victory. It was a little more than a length back to runner-up Kims Quest and third-place finisher Mobro Flirt. Miss Maverick and Putnam Mackenzie, who were fourth and fifth respectively, will also advance to next week’s final.
Gord Remmen trains V C Asteroid for the Ottawa partnership of Frank Schimizzi and the Spagnolos – Frank, Saverino and Graziano. In nine starts she has assembled a 2-2-1 record and has stashed away more than $31,000.
Just two races later Filion clicked with Perfume N Pearls, who got up in the final strides to stop the teletimer in a career-best 1:55.2.
The grey daughter of Mach Three-Pearl Berley brushed to the early lead from her post nine starting spot, but she gave way to Racy Gal Hanover on the way to the half. That foe, who laid down middle splits of :57.1 and 1:25.3, had a solid lead turning for home but couldn’t hold it. She tired late and that opened the door for Perfume N Pearls to rally past her for the win. Racy Gal Hanover was second best and third prize went to race favourite Lucky Jeans. Also advancing to the final were Joanniehasafanny and C Lulujustlikethis.
Spring Haven Farm of Utica, OH, who bred the youngster, shares ownership on the two-time winner with Doug Millard of Woodstock, ON. She owns a 2-3-0 record in nine trips postward, and she has banked just over $20,000 to date.
The top five finishers from each of Thursday’s eliminations will earn a berth into next Thursday’s $40,900 final of the Autumn Stake at Woodbine Racetrack.
To view Thursday’s harness racing results, click here.