Snowstorm Hanover blasts rivals in Valley Victory
November 20, 2016,by Ray Cotolo, for WEG Communications
Toronto, ON — Snowstorm Hanover grabbed control early in the mile and coasted around the Woodbine oval to a 1:55.1 win as the 7-5 public choice in the C$404,000 Valley Victory final on Saturday evening (Nov. 19).
New Image Media photo
Snowstorm Hanover captured the C404,000 Valley Victory final on Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack.
The Ron Burke trained colt by Muscle Massive out of the Andover Hall mare Snow Angel Hanover, was sent to the front by driver Matt Kakaley, trotting splits of :28.1 and :57.3.Into the final turn, Snowstorm Hanover gained three lengths of separation from pocket-rider Moonshiner Hanover, as well as from first-over pursuer Jake and International Moni on his back.
Trotting three-quarters in 1:25.3, Snowstorm Hanover still held a sizable lead through the stretch. International Moni fanned off cover and narrowed in on the leader while Jake chased them from third, but Snowstorm Hanover remained in front by a length.
“I got to the front, just like in the elimination, and he held them off,” said Kakaley. “There was (a tense moment) in about the last sixteenth or so when I heard them coming, and he was getting a little tired, but he was still good.”
Returning $4.90 to win, Snowstorm Hanover won his sixth race in 14 starts, amassing C$395,919 in earnings for owners Burke Racing Stables LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, and Phillip Collura.
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Winning races might be in Caviart Ally’s blood and there could be no more appropriate time for the 2-year-old female pacer to get her first open stakes victory than Saturday’s C$427,000 Three Diamonds Stakes at Woodbine. After all, Three Diamonds is in her blood too.
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