by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — After capturing both their divisions of the opening round of the Autumn Series last week, both Sweetie Hearts and Wonderland Snow have stamped their way into the C$25,000 (est.) final on Nov. 8 at Woodbine.

But first, the pair will contest the lone division of the second leg, this Thursday at the Rexdale oval.

Trained by Ron Parsons, Sweetie Hearts and Wonderland Snow couldn’t be coming into Thursday’s dash any better for owner/breeder Bob Key.

“They both had a good week and are coming into the race very well,” Parsons said. “They drew well and raced very well last week. We’ll see what this week brings.”

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Sweetie Hearts captured her division last week in 1:57.3 for driver Mario Baillargeon.

Sweetie Hearts, who Parsons says is the “better of the two,” captured her division last week in an impressive 1:57.3 for driver Mario Baillargeon.

“She won that race fairly easily,” Parsons said. “She’s a nice filly and very handy. She’s a good side horse and there’s really nothing not to like about her. Right now she is the better of the two and a top filly in this series.”

The lightly raced daughter of Angus Hall-Sweetheart K has two victories from six starts this season and $13,364 in earnings. The brown filly will begin from post two and has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite.

Wonderland Snow has posted back-to-back wins and will begin from post three on Thursday evening for pilot Trevor Henry. Also a daughter of Angus Hall, out of Americansnowqueenk, Wonderland Snow captured her division last week in 2:00.1.

“She’s a bit of a late bloomer and still learning to find her speed,” Parsons said. “She’s maybe a step behind the other filly right now, but is catching up. She raced well last start and continues to improve. Her victory two starts ago at Western Fair was very impressive. That was a good mile that day.”

Wonderland Snow is the richer of the two trotting fillies with $24,264 banked from 10 career starts.

Both fillies were recently sent to Parsons from longtime friend Paul Reid, who ventures to Florida every winter.

“Paul trains quite a few for Bob (Key) and I have trained for him in the past as well and these two fillies were sent up to me,” Parsons explained. “Paul said the one filly was better than the other right now (Sweetie Hearts), but both were talented and a good fit for this series.”

Parsons was quick to praise the late-closer series.

“It’s a great, educational series for young horses,” he said. “Especially these two fillies who are late-bloomers. They race against their own kind and you gather a sense of what they’re made of. I guess we’ll find out more in the coming weeks.”

This division of the Autumn Series is for rookie trotting fillies who were non-winners of C$30,000 lifetime as of Sept. 30, 2013.

The lone division will go as follows in Race 1.

1. Oaklea Wand
2. Sweetie Hearts
3. Wonderland Snow
4. Jayport Princess
5. Andrea Lea
6. Capturethememory
7. Elle Samantha
8. Torches Star
9. Audrey Pearl
10. Aphrodity

More Autumn Stakes divisions will also take place on Thursday evening featuring 2-year-old pacing fillies, who were also non-winners of C$30,000 lifetime as of Sept. 30, 2013.

The fields will line up as follows:

Race 2
1. Exhilarated
2. Hare To Eternity
3. Master Key
4. Regally Ready
5. Zenobia Blue Chip
6. Village Jessica
7. Witch Dali
8. Runway Model

Race 10
1. Her Own Land
2. Double Joy
3. Haute Couture
4. Brescia Seelster
5. Artful Impulse
6. P L Hula
7. Stelllllla
8. Shady B Skipalong