by Greg Gangle – WEG Media

Toronto, ON — The Prophet Mary, driven by Keith Oliver, captured the C$50,000 Autumn Stakes final Thursday evening at Woodbine Racetrack.

The lightly-raced daughter of Million Dollar Cam-Proxahantis left alertly from post six and sat comfortably in the two-hole as St Lads Morgan (Billy Davis, Jr.) crossed over to command past the opening station in :28.1.

As the freshman filly pacers went past the half in :57.4, both elimination winners from last week were on the move. Shadys M Three (Luc Ouellette) advanced first-over around the final turn with Machleen (Chris Christoforou) tracking her.

Past three quarters in 1:26.1, St Lads Morgan’s strides were matched by Shadys M Three, but The Prophet Mary was looking for clear racetrack.

In deep stretch, Oliver was able to guide The Prophet Mary off the rail and the Anthony Montini-trained miss responded in the final strides to score the victory in a 1:55.1 maiden-breaking effort. Shadys M Three finished second, ahead of St Lads Morgan with Machleen finishing fourth.

“She had a really good week leading up to tonight,” Montini said. “I was surprised by how well she raced last week, so I wouldn’t of been surprised if she won.

“We gave her the summer off because we didn’t think she was going to be a stakes caliber horse, so we decided to wait for the late closers and so far it’s working to our advantage.”

With the win, The Prophet Mary lifted her career earnings to C$32,100 for owners Onlineharnessowner Com 2 and Gary and Susanne McCready.

She paid $7.80 as the mild-upset winner.

Also, on the Thursday program, a pair of C$25,000 Autumn Stakes eliminations for freshmen trotting fillies took place.

First Flower, trained and driven by Torgeir Hagmann, captured the lion’s share of the purse when she found the winner’s circle in the first elimination in a maiden-breaking score of 1:58.

First Flower, who was second-over past the half, sat behind fractions of :28, :57.3 and 1:27.4, set by Angel Warken (Robert Shepherd), before using a late rush of speed to get under the wire in 1:58.1.

The 2-1 post time favorite finished 1-1/2 lengths ahead of Spanish Mama (Steve Byron) with Ashlake (Chris Christoforou) rounding out the triactor.

Hagmann’s wife, Anita Valstad, owns the daughter of Angus Hall-Elena who now has C$60,332 in career earnings.

She paid $6.40.

In the second and final elimination, Mario Baillargeon guided Pretty Crafty to her third career victory.

Amoreena (Robert Shepherd) led the field past the opening panel in :28,4, but Baillargeon was quickly on the accelerator as he angled Pretty Crafty to the front past the half in :59.4.

The bay filly would remain unchallenged past three-quarters in 1:29, before scoring a comfortable victory in 1:58.2. Amoreena stayed for second over a hard-closing Herbies Lenu (Chris Christoforou).

With the victory, Pretty Crafty increased her lifetime earnings to C$83,570 for trainer Ben Baillargeon and owners Richard Thompson, Robert Watson and Mike Bartram. She paid $7.50 for the win.

The C$60,000 final will take place next Thursday with the following post positions assigned: 1. Ashlake, 2. First Flower, 3. Pretty Crafty, 4. Angel Warken, 5. Amoreena, 6. Stage Fright, 7. Third Copy, 8. Spanish Mama, 9. Nordic De Vie and 10. Herbies Lenu.