Sparky Mark became Canada’s fastest horse so far in 2011 with his 1:50.4 winning effort in the $28,000 Preferred 2 Pace on Saturday night at Woodbine Racetrack
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Driver Jody Jamieson sent 4-5 favourite Sparky Mark to command ahead of Most Happy Keene (Simon Allard) as they moved past :27 opening quarter mark. The four-year-old son of Astreos-Luckbealadytonite proceeded to the half in :54.3 and three-quarters in 1:22.2 without facing any serious challengers.
Sparky Mark carried his three-length lead into the lane and coasted to the wire in 1:50.4, establishing a new lifetime mark and the Canadian season’s record. Our Lucky Killean (Mark MacDonald) rallied from the backfield to grab second with Ok Boromir (Doug McNair) finishing third.
Sparky Mark returned $3.80 to his backers. The Mark Austin trainee has won four of his five starts this year earning $56,000 for owner-breeder Leo Thibodeau of Windsor, Ont. Lifetime, he has won 11 times while banking $171,340.
Earlier on the card, Real Mean Art pulled off a 28-1 upset as he prevailed in a blanket finish in the $35,000 Preferred Pace.
Real Mean Art and driver Luc Ouellette waited patiently in sixth place as Presidential Series winner Alexie Mattosie (Paul MacDonell) laid down fractions of :27.3, :56 and 1:23.4. As the backfield sprang to life in the stretch, Real Mean Art shot up the rail to grab the victory in 1:52.4 by a head over pocket-sitter Lennon Blue Chip (Mark MacDonald). Kindly Poet (Doug McNair) and Alexie Mattosie finished a neck back in third and fourth.
Real Mean Art paid $58.80 to win as the longest shot on the board. The eight-year-old gelded son of Real Artist-Queen Of Mean has three wins and three seconds on his 2011 record from seven starts and has yet to finish out of the money. Real Mean Art has earned $55,750 of his $442,235 bankroll this year for owner Steve Beam of Gillett, Wisconsin.
For a recap of tonight's $60,000 WEGZ Stakes, click here.
To view Canada's fastest horses this season, click here.
For results from Saturday's card of harness racing, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.