by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — Sophomore trotting fillies highlighted the Thursday evening (Dec. 6) card at Woodbine as the C$60,000 Autumn Stakes final took place on the program.

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Randy Waples piloted Wark Woman to the 1:56 triumph.

Post time favorite Wark Woman scored an impressive victory in stakes record fashion for driver Randy Waples in 1:56. After winning her elimination last week, the daughter of Ken Warkentin swept the series as her earnings now sit at C$114,380 for owners Glengate Farms and Pat Hunt.

Leaving from post four, Waples and Wark Woman sat along in third in the early going as Magic Lindy (James MacDonald) left aggressively from post nine to strike the front before the opening station in :27.

As the field of 10 headed towards the midway point, Wark Woman angled out of the three hole and made her way to the front before the half in :57.1. Magic Lindy was now in second with Ivana Hanover (Steve Byron) sitting third.

Wark Woman would continue to lead past three-quarters in 1:26.3 with first-over attacker Real Housewife (Sylvain Filion) stalking on the outside with Magic Lindy a threat in the pocket.

Waples asked his charge for more trot down the stretch and the bay filly responded to fend off both Magic Lindy and Real Housewife in deep stretch to score the narrow win. Magic Lindy stayed for second over Real Housewife, who was parked the entire mile.

“You hate to be over confident because anything can happen in a horse race, but she’s a good filly and this series suited her,” said trainer Rob Fellows following the win. “She’s been racing very well lately and I got her from a good friend of mine, Pat Hunt. He developed her and deserves most of the credit. He went away on holidays when she entered my barn and it’s been a success.”

Since entering the Fellows stable, Wark Woman has posted an impressive 4-1-0 from five starts. She paid $3.00 to win.