by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — A quartet of Autumn Series finals for rookie pacers and trotters of both gaits and sexes took place Friday night (Nov. 8) at Woodbine Racetrack.

The Ontario-sired divisions featured youngsters who were non-winners of C$30,000 as of Sept. 30, 2013.

New Image Media photo

Sweetie Hearts was a 1:57 winner in her Autumn Series final.

In the rookie trotting filly division, Sweetie Hearts completed the series sweep with a 1:57 victory.

The daughter of Angus Hall cleared to the lead past the opening station in :28, before laying down middle-half fractions of :57.3 and 1:27.1. As the talented rookies headed for home, driver Mario Baillargeon asked Sweetie Hearts for more trot and the four-time winner responded with a 4-1/2 length victory. Audrey Pearl (James MacDonald) came from behind to finish second, over Torches Star (Steve Condren).

Trained by Ron Parsons for owner/breeder Bob Key, Sweetie Hearts increased her bankroll to $32,282 as she took the lion’s share of the $26,315 final. She paid $3 to win as the favorite.

In the next dash, heavily-favored Aventure also completed the $26,790 series sweep as he crossed the wire in 1:58 for driver Sylvain Filion.

The trotting son of Muscle Mass came from off the trot through panels of :28, :58.1 and 1:27.2, before dashing away from his rivals to win by 1-3/4 lengths. Theresademoninme (Steve Condren) finished second, with SAS Warkentin (Larry Small) third.

Trained by Bill Budd for owner Orville Rursch, Aventure celebrated his fourth career score as his lifetime earnings increased to $36,710. He paid $4.80 to win.

In the $28,215 2-year-old filly pace final, Regally Ready and Doug McNair pulled off the 20-1 upset.

McNair guided the daughter of Royal Mattjesty well off the pace through honest fractions of :27.1, :55.3 and 1:23.3, before threading the needle in deep stretch to notch her second career victory. Artful Impulse (Randy Waples) finished second, with Stellllllla (Scott Zeron) third.

Trained by McNair’s father, Gregg, Regally Ready increased her career earnings to $39,647. Owned by Hutt Racing Stable, Regally Ready paid a handsome $43.40 to win.

In the final division, Prince Clyde lived up to the 7-5 hype as he got under the wire first in a stakes record time of 1:52.1.

The rookie pacer settled away in fourth through the opening quarter in :26, before making a brush to the lead past the :55 half. From there, the Keith Oliver-driven son of Camluck marched past three-quarters in 1:23.1 before cruising to a 2-1/4 length victory. Concert Artist (Chris Christoforou) came from well off the pace to finish second, with Major Starlight (Paul MacDonell) third.

Trained by Tony Montini for his wife, Albina, and Holland Racing Stable, Prince Clyde increased his bankroll to $51,285. He paid $4.80 to win.