by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Toronto, ON — A pair of C$25,000 Autumn Stakes eliminations for 3-year-old pacing colts took place Saturday night (Nov. 27) at Woodbine Racetrack with driver Jody Jamieson scoring both victories aboard Rock Me Amastreos (1:52.4) and Sparky Mark (1:51.4).

Rock Me Amastreos posted a mild upset in the first elimination for trainer Murray Brethour, returning $13.40.

Driver Jason Brewer sent High Bar quickest off the gate from post seven and was able to cross over and take command before the opening panel in :27.1 with Rock Me Amastreos behind him.

There was a lot of action as the field moved towards the half. Lucky Terror was still on the outside and driver Rick Zeron rolled his charge to the front. Charmbo Willie, who was positioned third along the rail, was having steering issues so driver Phil Hudon elected to move him to the outside. That allowed Rock Me Amastreos to pick up his cover as the field rolled past the half in :56.

Lucky Terror was still the leader heading towards three-quarters. First-over attacker Charmbo Willie was still having steering issues which made Hudon take him to the outside and out of contention. That left Rock Me Amastreos to be first over as the three-quarters was posted in 1:24.1.

Down the stretch, pocket sitter High Bar came to the outside and overtook command from Lucky Terror but could not fend off a late challenge from Rock Me Amastreos.The son of Astreos now has career earnings of C$65,170 for owner/breeder David Snowden.

Jamieson scored again in the second elimination as he guided Sparky Mark to victory for trainer Mark Austin.

Another son of Astreos, he left alertly from post three and was able to cross over in front of Smarter Yet past the quarter in :27.1. The 3-5 bettor’s choice went unchallenged down the backside and posted middle-half speed of :55.3 and 1:24.1. Down the stretch, Smarter Yet tipped to the outside and attacked Sparky Mark as the pair separated themselves from the rest of the field.

With a sixteenth of a mile to go, Smarter Yet could not reach Sparky Mark and had to settle for second with Casimir Jitterbug third.

Sparky Mark was bred and is owned by Leo Thibodeau of Windsor, Ontario. He paid $3.40 for the win.

The top five finishers from both eliminations will advance to the C$60,000 final next Saturday (Dec. 4) at Woodbine Racetrack. The field is as follows: 1. Four Js Rustler; 2. Lucky Terror; 3. Sparky Mark; 4. Rock Me Amastreos; 5. Casimir Jitterbug; 6. Political Terror; 7. Smarter Yet; 8. High Bar; 9. Longn Winding Road; and 10. Lavish Grin.

Aracache Hanover upsets in Open Pace

Fresh off a victory in the $200,000 Windy City Pace last week and a C$547,000 Confederation Cup victory earlier this year, Aracache Hanover and driver Doug McNair scored a 10-1 upset to take the C$42,000 Open Pace at Woodbine Racetrack.

The 3-year-old son of Dragon Again blasted off the gate and took command before the first turn and posted a speedy first quarter of :26.

As the field headed towards the half, post time favorite Lucky Man (Mark MacDonald), who got away third, moved to the outside and struck the lead before the half in :54.2. Lucky Man would continue to lead his rivals past three-quarters in 1:22.2.

At the top of the stretch he was still the leader but that didn’t last long as Aracache Hanover tipped to the outside and was able to convert the victory. Get Out Of Dodge (Jody Jamieson) came on to finish second while Lucky Man stayed for third.

“He was real good tonight,” trainer Gregg McNair commented following the victory. “If he raced well tonight we were going to supplement him into the Cleveland Classic ($175,000 purse at Northfield Park) next week. If he comes out of this race sound I think we’ll go.

“After he won the Confederation Cup we had some soundness issues with him and he wasn’t right but right now it appears he’s on his game.”

With the victory, Aracache Hanover posted his 12th career victory and has earned C$771,413 lifetime for owners William Switala and James Martin. He paid $23.90 for the score.