by Karen Briggs, WEG Media

Toronto, ON — As the first of the finals for the Ontario Sired Autumn Series kicks off at Woodbine this Saturday night, Nov. 29, the connections of an Astreos gelding named Winter Blues are hoping his career continues to snowball.

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Winter Blues hopes to continue his winning ways in the OSAS final on Saturday.

After failing to reach the winner’s circle in his 2-year-old season, Winter Blues came back to the races in May 2008, but victory remained elusive until this October, when he finally scored in a C$17,000 conditioned event at Woodbine, under the tutelage of Chris Christoforou, Sr.

Now residing in the barn of trainer Ian Reid, Winter Blues has not been beaten since that night, and made it four in a row last weekend when he defeated Blackwalls and Marquee Player in his elimination for Saturday’s C$51,300 OSAS final, for 3-year-old pacers who are non-winners of C$40,000 lifetime or C$30,000 in 2008 (as of October 31).

Winter Blues will be heading postward as the 2-1 favorite, but he may have stiff competition in the form of Western invader Dinner Guest, a gelded son of No Pan Intended. In his first start since departing from Fraser Downs, under new trainer Chad Schmedge, Dinner Guest was a decisive winner in his elim division last week, and goes into the OSAS final as the second betting choice at 7-2.

Randy Waples will be at the lines for Winter Blues, while Jack Moiseyev will pilot Dinner Guest for the first time this weekend. The OSAS final for 3-year-old male pacers is scheduled as race five, post time 8:54 p.m. (EST).