by Greg Blanchard, WEG media

Toronto, ON — Lucky Jeans turned in a multiple-move effort to haul down Thursday’s (Dec. 3) C$40,900 Autumn Stake Final for 2-year-old filly pacers at Woodbine Racetrack in a time of 1:54.4.

The small, but speedy daughter of Camluck-Oliviajeankillean left hard from post six for driver Randy Waples and grabbed the lead briefly before yielding to the hard-leaving Joanniehasafanny just before the opening quarter of :26.4.

As the field straightened up towards the half, Lucky Jeans came back to the outside and regained the lead while facing immediate pressure from longshot C Lulujustlikethis through a demanding :55.4 half-mile. The top pair continued their battle past three-quarters in 1:24 with Lucky Jeans clinging to the lead.

In the stretch, the top pair began to tire and it looked like the closers, led by Kim’s Quest and Racy Gal Hanover, were ready to pounce. However, Lucky Jeans refused to let any rivals past in the late stages and held on for a half-length decision despite a slowing final quarter. Kim’s Quest grabbed the place spot with Racy Gal Hanover third and C Lulujustlikethis holding the fourth spot. Lucky Jeans returned $8.40 as the slight wagering favorite.

It was the second win in 10 tries this season for the Bob McIntosh trainee and improved her bankroll to just over C$51,000 in the process. McIntosh co-owns the filly along with the C S X Stables of Ohio.