by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications
Toronto, ON — Woodbine Racetrack played host to a trio of Snowshoe Series divisions as the opening round got underway for 3- and 4-year-old male pacers on Monday evening (Jan. 13).
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Hopiesdragninthedo won the opening division in a time of 1:55.
Hopiesdragninthedo kicked off the 12-race program with a 1:55 score in the first $13,800 division.
Driven by Anthony MacDonald, the son of Dragon Again sat in the pocket before the opening station in :26.4, set by Lucky Nadotremblay (James MacDonald), before taking over command. Hopiesdragninthedo continued to lead his seven rivals past the half in :56.2.
Post time favorite Brother John (Jody Jamieson) angled out from fourth to begin the first-over attack around the final turn and was stalking on the outside of Hopiesdragninthedo past three-quarters in 1:25.1.
Down the stretch, the pair separated themselves from the field, but it was Hopiesdragninthedo getting the edge over Brother John in deep stretch to win by three-quarters of a length. Greystone Moe (Sylvain Filion) came from off the pace to finish third.
Trained by Carmen Auciello for owners Carolyn Jarrell and Arlene MacIntyre, Hopiesdragninthedo earned his second career tally and increased his bankroll to $27,450. The gelding has started off his 2014 season in fine form with a 1-1-0 record from two starts. He paid $5.90 to win as the second choice.
Even money favorite Ontario Success started off the Pick-4 in the second division with a 1:56 victory.
Driven by Chris Christoforou, Ontario Success was in no hurry at the start as Machin Money (Jonathan Drury) was quickest to the front past the opening station in :27.3.
With the field well strung out, Machin Money continued to set the pace past the half in :57. Ontario Success found himself sitting well back in sixth, 13-1/2 lengths off the pace, with second-choice KG Dragonator (Phil Hudon) on his helmet.
Ontario Success began a first-over attack heading towards three-quarters, while Zark (Doug McNair) angled out of the two hole attacking Machin Money before three-quarters in 1:26.1.
Turning for home, Machin Money began to tire as the backfield was quickly closing in. Ontario Success was able to split between horses and fended off challenger KG Dragonator on the outside to win by 1-3/4 lengths. Meetyouatmidnight (Billy Davis, Jr.) came on for third.
Trained by Tony O’Sullivan for owner/breeder Emerald Highlands Farm, Ontario Success earned his third career victory as his lifetime earnings now sit at $35,352. The 4-year-old son of Lis Mara paid $4.10 to win.
In the final division, heavily favored Littlebitaclass and Jody Jamieson clicked in 1:54.4.
Jamieson and the son of Santanna Blue Chip settled away in third as Tex (Roger Mayotte) quickly gained control before the opening quarter in :27.3. Heading towards the half, Littlebitaclass was pulled to the outside and marched to the front at the half in :56.4.
From there, the six-time winner led his eight rivals past three-quarters in 1:25.3 and fended off a late challenge from Tex to win by a half-length. Dreydl Hanover (Keith Oliver) finished third.
Trained by David Menary for owner Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC and Howard Taylor, Littlebitaclass increased his bankroll to $24,489. He paid $4.40 to win.
The Snowshoe series is for 3- and 4-year-old male pacers, who were non-winners of two races or C$20,000 lifetime as of Nov. 30, 2013.
The second leg of the series will take place on Monday (Jan. 20) with the C$30,000 (added) final on Monday (Jan. 27).