by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — A pair of 4-year-old pacers will have an opportunity at a Snowshoe Series sweep after returning to the winner’s circle in Friday’s (Jan. 15) second leg at Woodbine Racetrack. A total of 18 horses were split into two C$17,000 divisions for Friday’s second leg of the Snowshoe Series.

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Shades Of Bay was a 1:51.3 winner in Snowshoe Series action.

Fresh off a 3-1/4 length victory in round one, Shades Of Bay continued his hot streak Friday with an impressive 1:51.3 victory over a ‘good’ track. Driven by Phil Hudon, Shades Of Bay, the 1-9 favorite, got away fourth in the early stages, but moved into third and eventually the lead in the second quarter. Three Truths, who was leading heading to the half, made a break and Hudon immediately moved Shades Of Bay to the front.

After fractions of :55.1 and 1:24, Shades Of Bay kicked into high gear in the stretch and cruised home in :27.3 for a 1-3/4 length victory. Sabine Pass finished second at 23-1, while Shippen Out was third at 30-1.

A 4-year-old son of Art Major, Shades Of Bay now has five wins in six starts for trainer Sean Mehlenbacher. Friday was the pacer’s sixth career triumph and increased his career earnings to more than C$69,000. Owned by Timothy Kim, Shades Of Bay paid $2.10 to win.

Rafa delivered another ace with a 1:52.2 victory in the second division. Sent off as the 2-5 favorite, Rafa and driver Sylvain Filion sprinted off the wings of the gate and locked up with Pistopackinpiper for a first quarter battle. Pistopackinpiper cleared to the lead, but was forced to pace a :25.3 opening quarter to grab command.

Rafa quickly got his cue to go in the second quarter and circled to the lead. The public’s choice posted middle fractions of :55.1 and 1:24.3 to turn for home with the lead.

In the stretch, Tyler’s Beach Boy came off cover and Tower Of Power continued to pace hard after being first up, but Rafa held them at bay and impressively cruised through the wire first to win by a length.

Trained by Richard Moreau, Rafa is now four for four to begin his career. The 4-year-old son of Camluck now has a pair of victories this season to go with two wins last season. Owned by Robin Morley, Rafa knocked a fifth of a second off his career mark with Friday’s victory and increased his career earnings to C$27,500. Rafa paid $2.80 to win.

In order to be eligible to the Snowshoe, the 3- and 4-year-old pacers had to be non-winners of two races or C$30,000 lifetime as of Oct. 31, 2015.

Shades Of Bay and Rafa will both be seeking a series sweep in next Friday’s (Jan. 22) C$47,200 final. The Snowshoe final will also be joined by the C$45,200 Blizzard Series final on next Friday’s card.