Just one night after a pair of two-year-old series finals at Woodbine Racetrack, the Autumn Series action continued with first leg divisions for the three-year-old fillies.
A total of four $18,000 divisions were contested Friday, as 19 sophomore pacing fillies and 13 sophomore trotting fillies competed in round one action.
Aniston Seelster lived up to her 1-2 billing to win the first pacing division in 1:53.2.
The Gregg McNair trainee was sent directly to the front by driver Doug McNair and posted an opening quarter of :27.2. After a :30.2 second quarter, Aniston Seelster cruised by the third-station in 1:25.4, before pacing home comfortably in :27.3 for a length and three-quarters victory. Amazing Control finished second, while Show Some Leg was third.
A daughter of Mach Three, Aniston Seelster has now won six of 19 starts this season for earnings of over $83,000. She is owned by Lindsey and Connie Rankin. Aniston Seelster paid $3.10 to win.
In the second division, Much Adoo scored a 1:54.4 victory in her debut for new trainer Issac Waxman. She was also driven by McNair.
Several fillies flashed early speed looking for the front, but Mach Magic, from the far outside, was the quickest away and posted an opening quarter of :26.4. St Lads Gidget was parked around the first turn, but cleared to the lead entering the backside. Mach Magic quickly circled back to the lead at the half in :55.4. Around the final turn, Much Adoo came out from fourth for driver McNair to challenge first up, while Dontbruisecarrie followed second-over and Pinky Tuscadero sat to their outside three-wide. Much Adoo overtook the lead turning for home and paced away in the lane. Pinky Tuscadero finished a length and a quarter back in second, while Windsong Lindsey was third.
Mach Magic and several horses were interfered with at the top of the stretch and taken out of contention after Dontbruisecarrie made a break.
A daughter of Classic Card Shark, Much Adoo was making her debut Friday for new owners Aaron Waxman and Alan Alber. She has now won four of 23 starts this season after making just two starts as a rookie. Much Adoo’s earnings now exceed $50,000. She paid $5.50 to win.
On the trotting side, The Murmuring Pan scored an easy 1:57.2 victory in the first division.
Sent off at odds of 1-9, The Murmuring Pan got away third for driver Trevor Henry, while Stormont Contessa trotted out to the lead. After an opening quarter of :29.4, Henry pulled on the right line and quickly moved to the front. The second quarter move would seal the deal, as The Murmuring Pan posted panels of :59.4 and 1:28.4, before trotting home under a hand drive in :28.3 to win by four and a half lengths. Aspen California showed good closing speed to come from fifth to grab second, while Elegant Holiday finished third.
A daughter of Kadabra, The Murmuring Pan is owned and trained by Paul Reid. The sophomore trotter now has victories in four of seven attempts this season and six of 13 career starts. Friday’s victory pushed The Murmuring Pan’s seasonal earnings to $43,500, while her career bankroll now sits at over $66,000. The Reid trainee paid $2.30 to win.
In the second split, Ill Stay Here scored a 1:57 victory at odds of 5-2.
Driven by Randy Waples, Ill Stay Here grabbed an early spot in fourth, while Tymal Fireitup, the 4-5 favourite, trotted out to the lead. Brinkers Dream made a second quarter move to the front from third and touched down on the lead at the half in :57.4. Ill Stay Here sat fourth along the rail around the final turn and was close to six lengths off the lead turning for home, as Brinkers Dream reached the third station in 1:26.4. In the stretch, Tymal Fireitup came out of the two-hole to retake the lead, but Waples was able to get Ill Stay Here off the rail to the far outside with clear racetrack. Tymal Fireitup tried to go all the way, but Ill Stay Here tracked her down and edged by late to win by a neck. Strikinglyimpressive finished third.
A daughter of Pilgrims Taj, Ill Stay Here is trained by Colin Johnson for owners Thomas Kyron and Debbie Element. The sophomore trotting filly now has wins in seven of 20 starts in 2015. Ill Stay Here made three visits to the winner’s circle as a rookie. The Johnson trainee now has career earnings of over $65,000, with $56,000 earned this season. The clocking of 1:57 established a new career mark for Ill Stay Here. She paid $7.80 to win.
In order to be eligible to the Autumn Series, the Ontario-sired three-year-olds had to be non-winners of $50,000 lifetime or $30,000 in 2015 as of September 30, 2015.
The second leg for the fillies will take place next Friday (November 27), while Autumn Series action continues Saturday night with round one for the sophomore colts and geldings. Post time is 7:30 p.m.