Milton, ON – The stage is set for the first two stakes finals of 2026, this Saturday evening (Jan. 31) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The C$37,400 Snowshoe Series and the C$34,000 Blizzard Series finals have been carded as races eight and five, respectively, on Saturday’s 11-race card (first post is 6:15 p.m. EST). In order to be eligible to both the Snowshoe and Blizzard Series, the 3- and 4-year-olds had to be non-winners of two races or $30,000 lifetime as of Oct. 31, 2025.
The curtain-closer of the Snowshoe, for 3- and 4-year-old pacers, has drawn 10 starters, including Cold Creek Pantera.
Trained by Meg Crone for Cold Creek Standardbred, the son of Panther Hanover out of the Mach Three mare Mach Miss has posted a quartet of thirds over his past four starts – and in five of his last six engagements – including a pair of legs of the Snowshoe, on Jan. 17 and Jan. 24.
“Last week, I was very happy with him,” said Crone. “The first leg, I thought that maybe he might win or be second off the trip he got. James (driver, MacDonald) said he had a lot of pace and then kind of hit the wind and flattened out a little bit on him.”
Crone, who has recorded 526 career wins, is hoping the 4-year-old gelding can go two better on Saturday night under the lights at Mohawk Park.
“You don’t always know what to expect sometimes from him, in terms of whether he’s aggressive off the gate or if he will settle early,” said Crone, who has had the horse for his past six starts. “He just needs to find that happy medium. But I would say, based on what we have seen, that he is getting a little better each week.”
Bred by Daniel Walker, Cold Creek Pantera, 3-1-8 (C$40,500) from 31 starts, was also third in a leg of the Harvest Series in November.
Debuting with a fifth last February at Mohawk, he notched his milestone first score that June at Georgian Downs. His most recent winner’s circle trip came at Flamboro on Nov. 27.
Ideally, Crone would like to see Cold Creek Pantera, 6-1 on the morning line, sitting close in the early going Saturday.
“I would say if he was able to get away second or third, stay in, and hopefully, something works out late – that would be the best trip for him.”
Trevor Henry, who has 7,860 lifetime driving wins, gets the call for the Snowshoe final. Henry was in the race bike for Cold Creek Pantera’s most recent Mohawk victory, on Sept. 2, 2025.
“He has done quite well with Trevor,” said Crone. “I think this horse is getting a bit stronger and they seem to do well with one another.
The wagering menu for the race includes exacta, .20 trifecta, .20 superfecta, .20 Pick-4 (Races 8-9-10-11), .20 Pick-3 (Races 8-9-10), daily double and swinger.
Field for the Snowshoe Final
Post – Horse – Driver – Trainer
1 – Booker Seelster – Doug McNair – Terry Fritz
2 – Arthur Idlam – Jason Ryan – Mackenzie Spence
3 – Crazy Horse Creek – Tyler Borth – Barry Bird
4 – The Tulsa King – Todd Ratchford – Mary Ratchford
5 – Rbstenacious T – Travis Cullen – Jodie Cullen
6 – Listen Lindo – Billy Davis Jr. – Boyd Wilson
7 – Calypso Creek – JR Plante – Barry Bird
8 – Cold Creek Pantera – Trevor Henry – Meg Crone
9 – Nova Blu – Billy Davis Jr. – Garry Merner
10 – Mandestiny – Phil Hudon – Jodie Cullen
Field for the Blizzard Final
Post – Horse – Driver – Trainer
1 – Barb Lahey – Todd Ratchford – Mike Kwietniowski
2 – Who Are You – Michael Whelan – Walter Whelan
3 – D A Miss Universe – David Kelly – Harry Poulton
4 – Dreamfair Diamond – Trevor Henry – Kyle Fellows
5 – Shuri – Tyler Borth – Jason Libby
6 – Mcjazz – Daryl Thiessen – Daniel O’Brian
7 – P L Suzie – Phil Hudon – Nicholas Ahearn
8 – Kobra Kate – Travis Cullen – Kevin Bodz
9 – Lets N Joy N – Jason Ryan – Jacques Dupont
10 – Marlenes Legacy – Doug McNair – Chantal Mitchell
