Fourteen freshman pacing fillies scrapped in a set of $20,000 eliminations for the Autumn Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack on Thursday evening, with the top five finishers from each of the tilts advancing to next week’s final
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Machleen out-paced seven foes to take home top honours in the first elimination for the tandem of driver Chris Christoforou and trainer Mark Austin.
The homebred daughter of Mach Three-Aileens Luck settled into sixth as the field tracked The Prophet Mary to the quarter pole in :27.4. Bruisers Sister made a first-over bid in the backstretch, and despite parking past the half in :58.1 she eventually worked her way to the top. Machleen was first-over and driving at Bruisers Sister around the final turn, but the tempo-setter was still two lengths the best at the three-quarter pole in 1:27.1. Machleen dug in down the lane and used a :28.2 closing panel to win by 1-3/4 lengths over The Prophet Mary in 1:56. Bruisers Sister faded late and wound up finishing third.
Mark Austin Stables Inc of Fergus and Leo Thibodeau of Windsor, ON bred and own the lightly-raced youngster, who now boasts a 2-1-1 record from just six trips to the track. The lion’s share of the purse boosted her earnings to $28,290.
A crafty steer by Chris Christoforou helped land Shadys M Three into the winner’s circle in the second elimination.
The homebred daughter of Mach Three-Shadys FG settled into the three-hole when the starting gate sped away, and she chased St Lads Morgan through early fractions of :28.4 and :58.2. Christoforou had an opportunity to come first over going into the final turn, but he opted to sit in and allow Grins Little Flirt to do the first-over work.
St Lads Morgan picked up her speed and led the field to the three-quarter pole in 1:27.3, but she came under heavy pressure in deep stretch once Christoforou angled Shadys M Three off the rail. After getting bravened up around the final turn from being buried, Shadys M Three uncorked a :27.3 final frame to post the nose decision over St Lads Morgan in 1:55.4. Grins Little Flirt held on to finish third.
George Hunt trains the rookie, who improved her record to 2-1-0 in four starts, for owner/breeder Marvyn Walter McKee of Peterborough, ON. The talented youngster has managed to stash away $17,750 to date.
Here’s the field for next Thursday’s final:
$50,000 Autumn Stakes Final
1. Bruisers Sister
2. Mystical Liz
3. Shadys M Three
4. Machleen
5. Mia Seelster
6. The Prophet Mary
7. Golden Era
8. St Lads Morgan
9. Baubletina
10. Grins Little Flirt
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.