The first round of the Snowshoe Pacing Series served as a precursor to this weekend's wintery forecast on Friday night (January 18) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Driven by Travis Cullen, 9-5 favourite Legal Bettor ($5.60) rallied home from the outer flow to down pacesetter Panther Seelster (:28.2, :57.1, 1:25.2) by three-quarters of a length and take the fastest of the three $17,000 opening divisions in a career-best 1:53.4 clocking. Jodie Cullen trains the four-year-old Bettors Delight gelding for Gestion J Y Blais Inc. of Montreal, Que.
The other divisions were won by Herbert Holland trainee Rons Eom ($11.20) and driver Trevor Henry after closing between horses in the stretch for owner Legacy Racing Of De Inc., and owner/trainer Terry Gallant's Howmac Diamond ($25), who held off favourite Barbados and the pylon-skimming Fiesty Fireball with Phil Hudon aboard.
Both four-year-olds turned in matching career-best 1:54.3 miles.
The Snowshoe Series is for three and four-year-old colts and geldings that were non-winners of two races or $30,000 lifetime as of October 31, 2018.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Mohawk Park.