Ontario Success doubled up in the Snowshoe Series thanks to a 1:54 score in Monday’s second-leg assignment at Woodbine Racetrack, and his perfect record in the preliminary legs figures to make him a popular item in next week’s rich final.
With Chris Christoforou at the lines, Ontario Success survived a first turn park out before grabbing the lead as the field moved into the backstretch. He led the field to the half in :57, but was overtaken going into the final turn by Meetyouatmidnight. That foe sprinted to the three-quarter pole in 1:25.4, but his wheels started to wobble as the field entered the stretch. Ontario Success used a :27.4 closing to re-rally to the lead, and he managed to fend off a late-rushing KG Dragonator by a neck in 1:54. Tex finished third.
The four-year-old son of Lis Mara-Loving Success, who was sent off as the 3-5 favourite, resides in the barn of trainer Tony O’Sullivan for owner/breeder Emerald Highlands Farm of Mount Vernon, Ohio. The four-time winner pushed his lifetime earnings to $44,884 with the victory.
Sanattle Slew turned a second-over trip into a 1:55.1 tally in the second division for the tandem of driver Billy Davis, Jr. and trainer/owner/breeder Jeff Gillis. Brother John shot to the lead and threw down panels of :27.2, :57.4 and 1:27, but he couldn’t last on the lead. Sanattle Slew tracked cover behind Allcardsallthetime, and when Davis flipped him off cover Sanattle Slew charged home in :27.4 to win by a length over Hopiesdragninthedo in a career-best clocking of 1:55.1. Third prize went to Dreydl Hanover.
Sent off at odds of 8-1, Sanattle Slew won for just the second time in his career. The lion’s share of the $15,000 purse boosted his bankroll to $25,990.
The $34,600 final of the Snowshoe Series is scheduled for Monday, January 27 at Woodbine Racetrack.
In other Monday evening action at the Rexdale oval, Catch The Dream took home weekly bragging rights in the $34,000 Preferred Trot. Randy Waples came first-over with the Bruce MacDonald trainee, and the six-year-old son of Cash Hall-Anything But Love gelding got up to win by three-quarters of a length over the tempo-setting Take My Picture in 1:55.2. Watkins came on late to grab the show dough.
It was the second consecutive victory for the 21-time winner, who pushed his lifetime earnings past $260,000 in the process.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.