12/09/2012 6:34PM

Woodbine: Aunt Els handles two turns in Ontario Lassie

By Ron Gierkink
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Michael Burns
Aunt Els, stretching out to 1 1/16 miles, cruises to a front-running victory under Justin Stein in the Ontario Lassie for 2-year-old fillies.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario — Aunt Els led all way to earn her first stakes win under Justin Stein on Sunday at Woodbine in the $150,000 Ontario Lassie, for 2-year-old fillies.

Aunt Els ($6.10) was making her first start around two turns in the Lassie, during which she was tracked throughout by the 3-5  favorite, Original Script.

Aunt Els set quick fractions of 24.14 and 48.60 seconds , before slowing things down through three-quarters in 1:14.11. She got home on top by a length, in 1:46.17 for the 1 1/16 miles. Rutherford Rd checked in another seven lengths back in third in the six-horse field.

Aunt Els banked $90,000 for RMC Stable and trainer Norm McKnight, who supplemented her to the race for $3,000.

“She’s a pretty quick sprinter,” said Stein. “We figured, with the horses in the race, that she’d be a factor in the pace scenario. She broke like a bullet, and that laid down the plans for the rest of the race.”