Round two of the Autumn Series for two-year-old fillies took place Monday evening at Woodbine Racetrack, with trotters sparring in a single division and their pacing counterparts slugging it out in a set of splits.
Lay Lady Lay kicked things off with a 1:53.3 score in the first of the two $16,000 divisions for the pacers. Chris Christoforou got away fourth with the heavily-favoured filly, who watched Lady Marina and Active Lady take turns on the lead through panels of :26.4, :56.4 and 1:26. Christoforou had his charge first-over in the backstretch, and she was in top gear as the field turned for home. She sprinted to the wire in :27.2 and won by three-quarters of a length over Lady Marina. Third prize went to Active Lady.
Chris Matthews trains the daughter of Up The Credit-Lady D M for 1posse2steves3brothersstb of Guelph, ON. The victory improved her record to 3-1-0 from six assignments and the lion’s share of the loot lifted her cash stash to $26,500.
Top Royal marched to the lead in the second division and couldn’t be caught. Phil Hudon powered to the top and laid down fractions of :27, :57 and 1:26.1 before using a :28-second kicker to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Startled and race favourite Noone To Depend On in 1:55.1.
It was the fifth win of the season in 14 starts for the daughter of Royal Mattjesty-Top Of The World. Trainer Heather Toll of Seaforth, ON co-owns the photogenic filly with Brydown Farms Inc of Clinton, ON. She’s put away $28,770 in earnings to far this season.
Tymal Tempest had a nice bounce back performance in the lone division for the trotters. The Erv Abdulov trainee miscued in the opening leg and finished up the track, but after requalifying on short notice the rookie rolled to the front and didn’t look back en route to a 1:58.3 score. She laid down fractions of :28, :58.3 and 1:28.4 before kicking home in :29.4 to win by a half-length margin over race favourite Haileysgonedancing, with Liberty Lane taking home third money.
Phil Hudon mapped out the winning trip for the daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe-Balance Bar, who is owned by Tymal Farms of Oldcastle, ON. The victory improved her record to 2-1-1 from 13 assignments. She’s banked more than $40,000 to date.
The finals for both events are scheduled for Monday, November 16 at Woodbine Racetrack. The trotting fillies will chase a purse of $29,400, while the pacing lasses battle for $31,800.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.