Sparky Mark continued his impressive comeback win streak with a wire-to-wire effort in the featured $38,000 Preferred Pace at Woodbine Racetrack early Saturday night

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With Sylvain Filion in the sulky, the four-year-old son of Astreos cleared to command in front of early leader Major Hottie (Keith Oliver) after being parked out through a :26.1 opening quarter. Once in control, Sparky Mark never relinquished the lead as he charged past the half in :54.1 and three-quarters in 1:22.4 en route to the 1:50.2 triumph. Major Hottie pulled the pocket down the stretch and finished three-quarters of a length behind in second while Fitzs Z Tam (Luc Ouellette) rallied off cover for third. Rounding out the field, Mach Dreamer (Doug McNair) edged out Grin For Money (Jack Moiseyev) just over two lengths behind.

Sparky Mark is trained by Mark Austin for owner-breeder Leo Thibodeau of Windsor, Ont. The win was his third in a row and fifth in six starts since returning to racing action. Sparky Mark now boasts nine wins in 13 starts this year with seasonal earnings totalling $140,250.

He paid $3.20 to win as the 1-2 favourite.

Later on the card, the Mario Baillargeon-driven Upfront Hoosierboy advanced first over from fourth to take command around the final turn and held off the hard-closing Kindly Poet (Phil Hudon) to win the $30,000 Preferred 2 Pace in a matching time of 1:50.2 by one and a half lengths. Favourite Aled Hanover (Scott Zeron) came on for third.

The five-year-old son of Western Hanover notched his third win of the season in 33 starts while pushing his 2011 earnings to $133,300 for trainer Ben Baillargeon and owner R Berthiaume Inc. of Pointe-Aux-Trembles, Que.

Upfront Hoosierboy paid $7.30 to win as the slight second choice.

For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.

(Photo courtesy of New Image Media)