Despite making breaks in each of his last two efforts, Sparky Mark was sent off as the even-money favourite by the Woodbine faithful in Monday’s $39,800 final of the Autumn Stake

for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings. And much to the delight of the masses, he minded his manners and rallied for an impressive score.

Sparky Mark used a strong kick in the closing strides en route to hauling down pacesetter Stompin Tom Creek and stopping the teletimer in 1:54.3.

Stonebridge Memoir marched the early lead and had the field lined up behind him as the opening quarter rang up in :27.1, but his stint on the lead didn’t last for very long. Stompin Tom Creek, who won last week’s lone elimination in 1:55, blasted out of the four hole and brushed to the top on the way to the mid-way point.

The half flashed up in 1:24.4 for the leader, who proceeded to take the field to the three-quarter pole in 1:24.4 with Stonebridge Memoir on his back. Sparky Mark was staked up second over on poor cover around the final turn, but he used a :28.1 final frame to post the victory by just over a length. Stompin Tom Creek held on for second prize and the show dough went to Stonebridge Memoir.

“This horse had some nice pace on the end of the mile, but he’s been a bit unsurefooted and I had to be careful with him tonight,” said driver Paul MacDonell who picked up the last minute catch-driving assignment when programmed driver Randy Waples bowed out due to sickness. “It was my first time behind the horse, so it was nice to get some info from the connections. He was a bit steppy out of the gate, but he overcame it. He wasn’t tired at the end of the mile, so he could have a good future ahead of him if he gets his feet under him.”

Mark Austin trains the son of Astreos-Luckbealadytonite for owner/breeder Leo Thibodeau of Windsor, ON. The colt has put together a 2-1-0 record in his first six starts while banking $35,050 along the way.

To view Monday’s harness racing results, click here.