by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Toronto, ON — Jeff and Debbie Elchuk of Surrey, B.C. paid $31,000 for Mach Lady at this year’s Fall Extravaganza Mixed Sale and that investment has proven to be a wise one after she scored in Thursday night’s (Dec. 9) Autumn Stakes final for 2-year-old pacing fillies at Woodbine Racetrack.

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Mach Lady held off Whiskywisky Nancy O in the Autumn Stakes final.

After scoring her elimination victory last week the daughter of Mach Three has been undefeated in three starts for her new connections.

Whiskywisky Nancy O (Mike Saftic) took control of the lead from post eight before the opening panel in :27.3 with Giddy Up Bella (Paul MacDonell) in the pocket position. Driver Jody Jamieson was quickly on the move from third with Mach Lady as he sent his charge to the front at the half in :58.2. Mach Lady would continue to lead her rivals past three-quarters in 1:28.4 and into the stretch.

In the late stages of the mile, 2-5 favorite Mach Lady began to tire and pocket sitter Whiskywisky Nancy O was gaining with every stride. However, Mach Lady would score a minor victory in 1:56.3 with Giddy Up Bella third.

Mach Lady now has C$71,230 lifetime for trainer Bill Davis.

Autumn Stakes field set for sophomore fillies

Petite Syrah and R Tonys Girl were victorious in two C$25,000 Autumn Stakes eliminations for 3-year-old trotting fillies, earning their spots for next week’s rich final.

In the first elimination, American Holiday (Jody Jamieson) flashed early gate speed along with Lisas Passion (Mike Saftic) and Yorke Puddin (Sylvain Filion). American Holiday cleared the lead at the :27.2 first quarter mark. As the field raced past the half in :55.2, driver Rick Zeron sent post time favorite Miss Dangles first over from fourth and swept past her rivals to be alongside American Holiday by three-quarters in 1:27.

Miss Dangles overtook command from American Holiday and opened up a two length lead at the top of the stretch. With a sixteenth of a mile to go, the backfield was closing in on Miss Dangles as her strides were shortened.

R Tonys Girl and driver Roger Mayotte exploded late in the mile to score a narrow victory over Miss Dangles with Lisas Passion finishing third.

With the victory, R Tonys Girl scored her lifetime best as she stopped the clock in 1:56.3 for trainer Shane Weber and owners Tom and Elizabeth Rankin. The daughter of Kadabra increased her lifetime earnings to C$57,300. She paid $16.00 for the victory and has selected post two for the final.

In the second elimination, Petite Syrah, driven by Chris Christoforou, used first over tactics to prevail in 1:58.4.

Flaming Hot (Lyle MacArthur) settled on top before the :27.4 opening quarter ahead of Anniecrest (Jack Moiseyev) and 6-5 favorite Petite Syrah. Flaming Hot then went unchallenged and proceeded to the half in :58 and three-quarters in 1:28.4.

Around the final turn, Petite Syrah committed first over and quickly advanced on pacesetter Flaming Hot at the top of the stretch as she began to tire. The backfield were closing in on Petite Syrah with a sixteenth of a mile to go, but the daughter of Striking Sahbra scored a one length victory over Tymal Tiara (Mike Saftic) with Dead Wrong (Murray Samons) finishing third.

Petite Syrah earned her fourth career victory and lifted her career earnings to C$52,200 for trainer Bill O’Donnell and owner The Fine Whine Stable.

The C$60,000 final goes to post next Thursday (Dec. 16) with the following post positions: 1. Stolen Goods; 2. R Tonys Girl; 3. Petite Syrah; 4. Tymal Tiara; 5. Yorke Puddin; 6. Dead Wrong; 7. Northern Fragrance; 8. Closeness; 9. Lisas Passion; 10. Miss Dangles; AE. Flaming Hot.