Sparky Mark picked up his second Autumn Stakes title with a victory in $60,000 final for three-year-old pacing colts on Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack
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Smarter Yet (Mark MacDonald) was the first to fire in the stakes final crossing down to the pylons in front of the field, which was reduced to eight after the scratches of elimination winner With Rock Me Amastreos and High Bar. The quick-footed colt took control before the first turn but a parked out Lucky Terror (Rick Zeron) drove on and cleared at the :27.1 opening quarter mark.
Under the guidance of driver Jody Jamieson, elimination winner Sparky Mark, a 2009 Autumn Stakes Final champion, made a backstretch brush to command just before the half in :56 and reached three-quarters in 1:23.4 while lengthening his lead. Sparky Mark held a three-length lead down the lane to score his fourth consecutive victory in 1:51.3. Lucky Terror edged out Smarter Yet for second.
The Mark Austin trainee paid $3.00 to win as the 1-2 favourite. Leo Thibodeau of Windsor, Ont. owns and bred the Astreos-Luckbealadytonite colt, who now boasts five wins in 13 races this year and $66,840 in earnings. The lion’s share of the purse pushed his total bankroll over the $100,000 mark.
To view Saturday's results, click here.