by Ashley Mayotte, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — Apach Of Luck pulled off a 7-1 upset and snapped Drunk And Dramatic’s undefeated record in the first of two $25,250 Autumn Stakes eliminations on Friday night (Nov. 23) at Woodbine.

The 3-year-old pacing filly, who was debuting for WEG’s leading trainer Richard Moreau, also lowered her lifetime mark to 1:55.2.

Apach Of Luck was a half-length winner over Shadys M Three.

Apach Of Luck and driver Sylvain Filion got away fifth behind Greystone Ladylike (Billy Davis, Jr.), who clocked the opening panel in :28.1. Into the backstretch, Drunk And Dramatic (Scott Zeron), a filly with a perfect eight-for-eight record, made a bid for the front from fourth and cleared to command past the half in :57.2.

As the 6-5 favorite paced by the three-quarter marker in 1:25.3, Apach Of Luck tracked a first-up Shadys M Three (Luc Ouellette). Apach Of Luck then vaulted off cover in deep stretch to score the half-length victory. Shadys M Three finished second and The Speed Of Music (James MacDonald) got up for third.

Also advancing to the final are Greystone Ladylike and Drunk And Dramatic, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

“I was very pleased with her effort,” said Filion. “Richard (trainer Moreau) didn’t know much about her. He just told me he made a few adjustments, he really liked her warming up and that she seemed pretty handy. We went on from there. Luckily enough we got a good trip. When I tipped her off cover, she went on even though it was really windy. There’s a strong headwind. She showed determination and that’s what I like about a racehorse.”

The homebred daughter of Camluck-Exonerated scored her third career win — all as a 3-year-old — in 31 lifetime starts. With the triumph, the bay increased her bankroll to $47,518 for owners Doug and Dennis Belan and Brian Fitzgerald. Apach Of Luck returned $17.60 to win.

In the second elimination, Aubsession found the winner’s circle for driver Jody Jamieson and trainer Bill Budd.

New Image Media photos

Jody Jamieson piloted Aubsession to a 1:54.3 score in the second elimination.

The 6-5 favorite settled into third before Trama Unit (Jonathan Drury) put up the opening quarter in :28.2. Aubsession then advanced first-up to take the lead past the half in :57.4 and held command, posting the three-quarters in 1:25.1 and stopping the teletimer in 1:54.3.

The pacing miss captured the lion’s share of the purse winning by 1-1/2 lengths. Trama Unit and Two Step Turn (Sylvain Filion) stayed for second and third, respectively. Also advancing are fourth-place finisher Regal Attitude (Scott Zeron) and fifth-place finisher The Prophet Mary (Chris Christoforou).

“She looked like the class of the field,” said Jamieson, WEG’s leading driver. “The bettors thought the same. With a good effort next week, I think she will be right there with Greystone Ladylike (fourth-place finisher in the first elim). I think she’ll be a little better next week and obviously the (first elim) winner (Apach Of Luck). I’m excited for next week. It looks like we have a shot.”

The daughter of Lis Mara-L Dees Cathy T, who was winless as a 2-year-old, has a lifetime record of 6-1-1 from 27 starts. With the win, the bay lifted her career earnings to $60,218 for owners Jocelyne Gagnon and Gloria Aubertin. Aubsession paid $4.50 to win.

This division of the Autumn is for Ontario-sired sophomore filly pacers who were non-winners of C$50,000 lifetime or non-winners of C$30,000 in 2012 as of midnight, Oct. 31.

The top five finishers from each elimination advance to the C$60,000 final set for Friday (Nov. 30). Elimination winners earned the privilege to select their post positions for the final.

Field for the Autumn final
1. Apach Of Luck
2. Shadys M Three
3. Regal Attitude
4. Aubsession
5. Trama Unit
6. Drunk And Dramatic
7. The Prophet Mary
8. Greystone Ladylike
9. The Speed Of Music
10. Two Step Turn
AE1: Caviart Mandy

Live Standardbred racing returns to the Toronto oval Saturday night with a 7:30 p.m. first race post time. On the 12-race program, 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings will contest a pair of C$25,000 Autumn Stakes eliminations.