Sparky Mark: Racing's Hottest Horse?

Over the last three months of 2011, a case could easily be made that the hottest horse in North American harness racing was pacer Sparky Mark

. The four-year-old finished his season with another win at Woodbine Racetrack's Preferred level with a sharp 1:53.2 score over the sloppy Saturday surface.

Major Hottie (Chris Christoforou) used his customary gate speed to establish the early lead from the outside starting spot while Sparky Mark settled into the two-hole after leaving from the center of the track. Major Hottie posted a :27-second opening panel before driver Sylvain Filion sent Sparky Mark after the lead. The streaking son of Astreos out of Luckbealadytonite swept to command down the backstretch, reaching the half in :55.4.

Sparky Mark then proceeded the three-quarters in 1:24.4 with Major Hottie on his back and the rest of the field trailing a couple lengths behind. As the Mark Austin trainee spun into the stretch he began to open up daylight on the field. He cruised home to win by more than three lengths. Secret Weapon (Scott Young) advanced first over and closed well to finish second. Major Hottie was third.

The victory leaves Sparky Mark with a 13-1-0 record in 17 seasonal starts and four-year-old earnings of more than $216,000 for owner-breeder Leo Thibodeau of Windsor, Ont. The 1-5 favourite paid $2.70 to win for the seventh consecutive time.

For results from the Saturday afternoon card of harness racing at Woodbine, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.