by Greg Blanchard. WEG Media

Campbellville, ON — To Helen Back turned in a strong two-move effort to score a mild upset in the single C$50,000 elimination for this year’s Milton Stakes for older pacing mares over a track rated ‘good’ on Saturday night (Sept. 26) at Mohawk.

The 6-year-old daughter of Astreos-Rocket Science flashed early speed from post six for driver Mike Saftic and landed in the pocket behind Four Starzz Meliss through a :26.3 opening panel.

In the second quarter, A And G’sconfusion attempted a backstretch brush to the front but was parked out by the pacesetter through a torrid :55 half over the off going. The top pair continued to wage war in the third quarter with To Helen Back sitting just in behind them at the third panel in 1:23.3.

New Image Media photo

To Helen Back won the Milton elimination in a time of 1:51.4.

Saftic was able to swing his charge to the outside at the top of the stretch and quickly pounced on the winded leaders while getting the jump on the backfield. After opening up a substantial lead, she was easily able to hold off the fast-closing race favorite, Dreamfair Eternal in 1:51.4, with Hana Hanover overcoming a post 10 start to land the show spot.

To Helen Back returned $17.70 to win while recording her fifth win in 19 outings this season for trainer John Pentland and owners Mike and Anne Shunock. The victory boosted her over the prestigious C$1 million mark in career earnings.

The top eight finishers earned a berth into next weekend’s C$375,000 final and will join stablemates Southwind Tempo and Tug River Princess, who both received byes. The connections of To Helen Back got to choose their post position and opted for post one.

Here is a look at the entire field in post position order for this year’s Milton Stakes Final: 1. To Helen Back, 2. Four Starzz Meliss, 3. Alexis Hall, 4. Hana Hanover, 5. Artimittateslife, 6. Southwind Swallow, 7. Crystal Chris, 8. Southwind Tempo, 9. Dreamfair Eternal
and 10. Tug River Princess.