by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Toronto, ON — Driver Chris Chistoforou made the most of his trip to Woodbine Racetrack on Thursday evening (Dec. 1) as he captured both C$20,000 Autumn Stakes eliminations for freshman pacing fillies.

In the first elimination, Christoforou guided the 2-5 post time favorite Machleen to victory in a new lifetime best of 1:56.

Machleen scored in a personal best time of 1:56.

The daughter of Mach Three-Aileens Luck was positioned well off the pace in the early going as The Prophet Mary (Keith Oliver) was sent to the front before the opening station in :27.4. There was not enough speed to chase heading towards the half as Doug McNair angled Bruisers Brother out from third and reached the front past the half in :58.1. Christoforou began the first-over attack around the final turn and was within two lengths of the tempo-setter past the three-quarters in 1:27.1.

Down the stretch, Bruisers Brother was given all she could handle as Machleen took over command and overcame a late challenge from The Prophet Mary to score the victory by 2-3/4 lengths. Bruisers Brother finished third.

With the triumph, Machleen lifted her career earnings to $27,576. The filly is owned and bred by Leo Thibodeau and trainer Mark Austin.

Four races later, Christoforou teamed up with trainer George Hunt and once again used off the pace tactics to capture the second and final elimination with the 9-5 favorite Shadys M Three in 1:55.4.

New Image Media photos

Shadys M Three was a narrow winner in 1:55.4.

With a pair of scratches in the event, Billy Davis, Jr. sent St Lads Morgan to command from post one to lead her five rivals past the opening panel in :28.4. The field would remain in order past the half in :58.2. Driver Rick Zeron angled Grins Little Flirt to the outside around the final turn, but St Lads Morgan still had a comfortable lead past three-quarters in 1:27.3.

Under moderate fractions, St Lads Morgan was still in command in deep stretch, but Christoforou found late racetrack with Shadys M Three. The daughter of Mach Three-Shadys Fg caught St Lads Morgan in the final strides. Grins Little Flirt stayed for third.

Marvyn McKee owns the bay filly, who increased her freshman earnings to $17,395.

The C$50,000 final will go to post next Thursday with the following post positions assigned: 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, and 10. Grins Little Flirt.