Thrillionaire shaved almost five full seconds off of her lifetime mark with a stunning 1:51.2 victory in the $46,600 Autumn Stake Final for three-year-old pacing fillies on Friday night at Woodbine Racetrack
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In fact, the clocking was a stakes record for the Autumn Stake.
The daughter of Astreos - Apaches Beauty, who was making her first start for trainer Ben Baillargeon, left hard from Post 6 for driver Mario Baillargeon and landed in the pocket position behind Mistreos (Mark MacDonald) through an opening panel of :26.4.
As soon as the field straightened up towards the half, Baillargeon brought his charge to the outside to take command. At that point, elimination winner Smashbox (Rick Zeron) went on the attack as the field reached the half in :55.1.
Thrillionaire responded to that challenge in the third quarter and held off her rival through three-quarters in a blistering 1:22.4. From that point on, Thrillionaire widened her advantage and cruised home for the decisive victory.
Smashbox was able to hold on to the place spot over a hard-charging Mach Me Not (Jody Jamieson). The winner returned $7.90 for the victory.
Thrillionaire now has seven wins in 21 starts this season for owners Gilles Plourde and Karen Kroeger of Gatineau, Que. and improved her earnings to just over $62,000 this season.
In regular racing action, Dreamfair Eternal showcased her killer late-stretch kick to score yet another Fillies & Mares Open Pace victory.
Ubetterthink Think (Jody Jamieson) cut a :26.4 opening quarter before the pocket-sitting Southwind Madonna (Keith Oliver) brushed to command. The new front-runner bypassed stations of :55.1 and 1:23 while Four Starzz Meliss (Jason Brewer) angled out from fourth providing Dreamfair Eternal and Randy Waples with cover.
In the stretch, Southwind Madonna kicked away from the field by three lengths and looked as if she had the $44,000 event under wraps but, as the saying goes, it ain’t over ‘til its over. Stepping on the accelerator, Dreamfair Eternal powered past Southwind Madonna with a :26.4 final frame for the 1:50.4 triumph. The margin of victory was just over a length for the 1-5 favourite.
Southwind Madonna was second with Ubetterthink Think coming in third.
The five-year-old daughter of Camluck - J Cs Nathalie has won five of her last six starts at the Open level for trainer Pat Fletcher and owners/breeders John and Mary Lamers of Ingersoll, Ont. Dreamfair Eternal’s 16th win in 30 starts this season boosted her earnings to over $600,000. Lifetime, she has won 28 times earning $744,415.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click here.
(With files from WEG)