American In Paris overcame her outside post position and went wire-to-wire to win Friday's featured $30,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace at Woodbine Racetrack and help driver Chris Christoforou complete a Halloween hat-trick.
Christoforou swept the first three races on the card, beginning with Raymond Larose's streaking sophomore filly Apple Pie Angel ($9.30) from post 10 and trotter Cousin Eddie ($9.80) for trainer Chantal Mitchell. Heavy favourite American In Paris ($2.50) then defeated the top distaffers on the WEG circuit for trainer Murray Brethour.
American In Paris fired across the sloppy track to make the lead into the first turn and led her five foes through quarter panels of :26.1, :56.3 and 1:24.4 en route to the two and a half lengths triumph in 1:53 -- marking her second win in a row. Marlee B came from last to place ahead of first over challenger Lights Go Out.
Woodstock's Doug Millard owns the four-year-old daughter of American Ideal, who has won half of her 24 starts this year while earning the bulk of her $300,000-plus bankroll.
Trot Magazine's November cover boy Christoforou is now just two victories shy of the 6,000 career win mark. Meanwhile, Woodbine's meet leading driver Jody Jamieson, who celebrated his 7,000 win milestone yesterday, earned four more victories on Friday night.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.