Sparkles' Girl pulls away to win Ontario Lassie

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Sparkles’ Girl found her calling going long during a decisive victory Saturday under Emma-Jayne Wilson in the $150,000 Ontario Lassie Stakes at Woodbine.

Sparkles’ Girl ($10.60) saved ground in third on the backstretch, while Shining Star set honest fractions in the 1 1/16-mile event for 2-year-old fillies.

Sparkles’ Girl was angled three wide exiting the far turn to assume command and drew clear for a three-length score in 1:45.82. The favored Garavogue Colleen closed along the rail to finish second over a charging Zermatta in the eight-horse field of Ontario-breds.

Sparkles’ Girl earned $90,000 in her first stakes win for C.E.C. Farm and trainer John Charalambous.

“She tries hard every time she races,” said Charalambous. “She’s very laid back on her own, but when you put another horse beside her, she picks the bridle up.”