by Ashley Mayotte, WEG communications

Toronto, ON — During her debut season, The Prophet Mary has been on quite a journey. The next challenge for the 2-year-old pacing filly is qualifying for the Autumn Stakes in her C$20,000 elimination on Thursday (Dec. 1) at Woodbine.

The Anthony Montini student was first trained down in Florida by Don Cromer before she ventured to Pocono Downs in June for a qualifier and a fifth-place finish in her first lifetime start. She stayed in Pennsylvania for almost a month before making her way up to Ontario where she landed in the Montini barn.

Although the daughter of Million Dollar Cam-Proxahantis has yet to make a trip to the winner’s circle or hit the board in any of her five starts, Montini admits the filly has been an angel to train.

“She has been like an absolute princess to deal with,” said the conditioner of the lone 2-year-old in his barn. “She is well broke. You can train her any speed you want to. She is basically like an old racehorse, really.”

And how did the pacing miss get her heavenly name?

Montini explains that Dan Clements, who owns a piece of the filly as part of Onlineharnessowner Com 2, is a religious man. Also, Clements’ wife’s name is Mary.

“Thus the name, The Prophet Mary,” Montini said.

As divine as The Prophet Mary is, she has experienced a few bumps in the road. Having overcome bouts of sickness, she has now gone through a growth spurt, leaving the bay a little disproportionate. Currently, her hind end is higher than her front.

“I think that’s just a maturity issue and she will mature into a very nice sized filly,” said Montini.

“I really think she is going to come into her own,” he added. “We have been really conservative and patient with her. She’s had some growing issues and health issues, but I think it is all going to click for her sooner or later. She is a nice, sound filly that tries hard and wants to do it, that’s half the battle.”

The Prophet Mary will go into her elimination fresh off a qualifying win at Flamboro Downs on Friday (Nov. 25). Montini took her to the Dundas oval since he trained her on the Tuesday (Nov. 22). He felt it would be too soon to qualify her on the Thursday at Mohawk, so he gave her an extra day. As a result, the Acton resident is pleased with The Prophet Mary’s most recent effort.

“She was pretty handy in that mile,” he said. “It was pretty windy down the stretch, but she went well. I think she is definitely ready for more. She went in 2:00.2. We aren’t overly concerned about time as opposed to her health and how she goes about it.”

Following the Autumn Stakes, The Prophet Mary will continue to race as the snow falls.

“She fits all the late closers. She hasn’t had a win yet and she has limited earnings,” said Montini. “I think she will be a decent winter horse. She’s had some allergy issues in the dead of summer.”

The rookie, who is also owned by Gary and Susanne McCready, will leave from post position seven in the first of two eliminations. Regular reinsman Keith Oliver will be in the bike.

“We are just racing her conservatively and teaching her the ropes right now,” Montini said. “She is kind of a work in progress. We are hoping for the best.”

The top five finishers from each elimination will advance to the Autumn Stakes final on Thursday (Dec. 8). Elimination winners may choose their post positions for the C$50,000 final.

Here’s how the freshman fillies will line up behind the gate:

First Elimination (Race 3)
PP-Horse-Listed Driver
1. Rustle This Hussy-Scott Zeron
2. Mia Seelster-Mario Baillargeon
3. Machleen-Randy Waples
4. Bruisers Sister-Doug McNair
5. Twin B Roxy-Paul MacDonell
6. Surprising Lily-James MacDonald
7. The Prophet Mary-Keith Oliver
8. Golden Era-TBA

Second Elimination (Race 7)
1. St Lads Morgan – Billy Davis, Jr.
2. Mystical Liz-Jody Jamieson
3. Shadys M Three-Randy Waples
4. Silky Britches-Jack Moiseyev
5. Grins Little Flirt-Rick Zeron
6. Baubletina-Robert Shepherd
7. Machnazetrois-Sylvain Filion
8. Modern Decor-Mike Saftic