by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — Sent off at odds of 17-1, Can He Go, driven by Randy Waples, found the wire first in the $50,500 Autumn Stakes final on Monday evening (Nov. 26) at Woodbine.

The series is for Ontario-sired 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers, who were non-winners of C$30,000 lifetime as of midnight, Oct. 31.

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Can He Go was a 1:54.3 winner in the Autumn Stakes final.

Trained by Mark Austin for owner/breeder Robert Chapple, Can He Go scored the first victory of his career in nine starts.

Waples and the son of No Pan Intended-Canadette settled away in third in the early going as post time favorite Brees Creek crossed over to take command past the opening station in a quick :26.1.

As the rookie pacers headed towards the half, George Jettison (Billy Davis, Jr.) made a bid for the lead and took over command past the half in :55.3. Brees Creek was now in the pocket with Sir Butler (Sylvain Filion) third and Can He Go sitting fourth along the rail.

George Jettison led his rivals past three-quarters in 1:25 as Brees Creek pulled the pocket on the tempo-setter, giving cover to D Gs Camme (James MacDonald) who was within striking distance on the outside.

Turning for home, George Jettison began to tire as the backfield began to close on the tempo-setter. D Gs Camme took over the lead in deep stretch, but could not fend off a late rally from Can He Go, who shook loose late in the mile to capture the victory in 1:54.3. D Gs Camme finished second with Sir Butler third.

“He’s always shown a decent kick at the end of the mile, but it usually takes him a few starts to get his legs under him,” Austin said following the win. “I told Randy (Waples) to score him down tonight and get his attention. He gave him a good trip and found a seam late in the mile.”

With the win, Can He Go increased his seasonal earnings to $36,150. He paid $37 to win.

Also on Monday’s program, a pair of Autumn Stakes eliminations took place featuring sophomore trotting colts and geldings. Post time favorites Noble Warrawee and Nowucit Nowudont found the winner’s circle in their respective $25,250 eliminations. This division of the Autumn Stakes is for Ontario-sired 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters, who were non-winners of C$50,000 lifetime or non-winners of C$30,000 in 2012 as of midnight, Oct. 31.

In the first elimination, Randy Waples guided Noble Warrawee to a 1:58 score.

The son of Angus Hall used off-the-pace tactics in the early going as the bay sat in fourth past the quarter in :29 and the half in :58.2. As the field of nine marched towards the final turn, Waples guided Noble Warrawee to a first-over attack past three-quarters in 1:27.4, before striking the front in deep stretch to score the narrow win by three-quarters of a length. Tyrone Showstopper (Jason Brewer) finished second with Woodruff (Paul MacDonell) third.

Trained and co-owned by Mark Steacy along with Hudson Standrdbrd Stable Inc., David Reid and Dr. Malcolm Man Son Hing, Noble Warrawee celebrated his fifth career win as his bankroll now sits at $66,869. He paid $2.70 to win.

Nowucit Nowudont cruised to victory in 1:55.3 for driver Scott Zeron in the second and final elimination.

The son of Majestic Son settled in fourth in the early going as Yackety Yak (Anthony MacDonald) marched to command before the opening station in :27.2. Zeron wasted little time and he angled Nowucit Nowudont to the outside and took over the top spot past the half in :57. From there, Nowucit Nowudont cruised past three-quarters in 1:25.3, before stepping away from his rivals to score a convincing four length victory.

Trained by Per Henriksen for Patricia Stable, Nowucit Nowudont enjoyed his eighth career win as his lifetime earnings increased to $56,768. He paid $3.50 to win.