by Karen Briggs, WEG Media

Campbellville, ON — With the confidence borne of breaking the (Canadian) million dollar earnings barrier with last week’s elimination win, the connections of 6-year-old pacing mare To Helen Back are expecting big things this coming Saturday (Oct. 3) at Mohawk in the C$375,100 Milton Stakes final.

New Image Media photo

To Helen Back won the Milton elimination in a time of 1:51.4.

“It was heavy going, and that was a huge mile for her,” says trainer John Pentland. “Maybe the biggest one she’s ever gone for me. And to reach that million dollar plateau by winning, and getting a picture, that was really special for the owners, Mike and Anne Shunock. She’s their most successful horse to date, by far.”

Having suffered a bruised foot in the effort, To Helen Back’s training schedule has been somewhat altered this week, Pentland says.

“She’s been swimming, which is a first for her, but she’s just the smartest horse and she adapted to it right away. She trotted sound on grass today and I’m almost positive at this point she’ll be in on Saturday. It’s just a matter of deciding what shoe she should wear.”

Foot issues have plagued the gritty daughter of Astreos throughout her career, but Pentland says that with the diligent attentions of her groom, To Helen Back has been sounder in 2009 than she has been since she arrived in his shedrow two years ago.

“She likes the soft going, so if it’s still muddy on Saturday night, which it looks like it will be, that won’t bother her. She prefers a bit of a cushion,” he says.

To Helen Back’s connections had the advantage of selecting their post position for the final, and drew the rail, as far away from heavy hitters Southwind Tempo, Dreamfair Eternal, and Tug River Princess (in posts eight, nine, and 10) as possible.

“I can’t say she’s the one to beat, with those mares in there,” Pentland says, “but the thing about Helen is she never lets you down. She is always a player. She has been right there, all three years she’s been racing in open competition, and she’ll definitely be in there on Saturday night.”

The Milton Stakes final, for older pacing mares, is the marquee event on the October 3 card at Mohawk. It’s race eight, post time 9:57 p.m. (EDT).