Nyalation in Autumn Series final at Woodbine

Lil Miss Nyalation and driver Mike Saftic pulled off a mild upset in Thursday's $40,300(C) Ontario-sired Autumn Series final for 2-year-old pacing fillies at Woodbine Racetrack. The pair overcame the outside post in the field which was reduced to eight starters with the scratch of Paid In Silver.

Saftic called on the daughter of Apaches Fame-Armbro Ozone to use her early speed and she took command briefly in the :26.3 first quarter before yielding the lead to Have A Cigar. At that point, Baby You Save Me made a snap move to the front just before the quick opening half of :55.3.

Baby You Save Me continued to roll along with the lead and increased her margin over Have A Cigar at the third station in 1:25.1. But as they turned for home, the fast fractions began to catch up to the pacesetter who started to give way.

A rejuvenated Lil Miss Nyalation rallied back to the outside from third and quickly took charge with an eighth to go. From there, no one was able to seriously challenge the filly who held on for a 1 3/4-length score in a time of 1:55.1. Longshots Justwitchway (80-1) and Sauble Adelle (20-1) rounded out the top three. The winning triactor combination returned a whopping $4,864.40.

It was the second win in six tries this season for the Allan Heyman trainee and boosted her bankroll to $30,838 for the Lil Dude Ranch.

Favorites fared well in Thursday night's pair of Ontario-sired Autumn Series eliminations for 3-year-old trotting fillies with both scoring decisive victories.

In the opening $25,000(C) elimination, Frenchfrysnvinegar seized control quickly from post seven and led the field through fractions of :27.1, :57.4 and 1:28.4 before facing a stern challenge from Scottish Cross as the field turned for home.

Despite being pressed hard, the daughter of Angus Hall-Gugus dug in gamely and widened her margin to 1 3/4 lengths at the finish in 1:59. Scottish Cross held on to the place spot with Tymal Sophia finishing third. The winner returned $4.10 on the nose.

It was the third win in 17 starts this season for the David Smith trainee and increased her earnings to $48,578. Smith co-owns the filly along with the Big Als Stables Inc.

The second elimination turned out to be a walk in the park for the heavily favored Mojo N The Morning as the daughter of Angus Hall-Lukes Secret took command just past the opening quarter and then cruised to a solid 1:59.3 victory. York Street landed in the pocket early and followed to finish second with Zorgwijk Inclusive rallying to pick up third.

Mojo N The Morning returned a paltry $2.90 to win. The victory was the third in 18 starts this season for Mojo N The Morning who is trained by Frank Colville for daughter Joanne Colville. She increased her career earnings to $46,932.

The $46,600(C) Ontario-sired Autumn Series final will go postward next Thursday night, Dec. 18, at Woodbine. (WEG)

« Back