The stage is set for the first two stakes finals of 2026 on Saturday, Jan. 31 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The $37,400 Snowshoe Series and the $34,000 Blizzard Series finals have been carded as races eight and five, respectively, on Saturday’s 11-race card, which is set to begin at 6:15 p.m. In order to be eligible to the Snowshoe or Blizzard Series, the three- and four-year-olds had to be non-winners of two races or $30,000 lifetime as of Oct. 31, 2025.
The curtain-closer of the Snowshoe, for male pacers, has drawn 10 starters, including Cold Creek Pantera.
Trained by Meg Crone for Cold Creek Standardbred of Grafton, Ont., the son of Panther Hanover out of the Mach Three mare Mach Miss has posted a quartet of thirds over his past four starts – and in five of his last six engagements – including a pair of legs of the Snowshoe, on Jan. 17 and Jan. 24.
“Last week, I was very happy with him," said Crone. "The first leg, I thought that maybe he might win or be second off the trip he got. [Driver] James [MacDonald] said he had a lot of pace and then kind of hit the wind and flattened out a little bit on him.”
Crone, who has recorded 526 career wins in 3,173 starts, is hoping the four-year-old gelding can go two better on Saturday night under the lights at Mohawk.
“You don’t always know what to expect sometimes from him, in terms of whether he’s aggressive off the gate or if he will settle early,” said Crone, who has had the horse for his past six starts. "He just needs to find that happy medium. But I would say, based on what we have seen, that he is getting a little better each week.”
Bred by Daniel Walker of Grafton, Cold Creek Pantera is 3-1-8 from 31 starts with $40,500 in earnings. He was also third in a leg of the Harvest Series in November. Debuting with a fifth-place finish last February at Mohawk, he notched his milestone first score that June at Georgian Downs. His most recent winner’s circle trip came at Flamboro on Nov. 27.
Ideally, Crone would like to see Cold Creek Pantera, 6-1 on the morning line from post eight, sitting close in the early going Saturday.
“I would say if he was able to get away second or third, stay in, and hopefully something works out late, that would be the best trip for him,” she said.
Trevor Henry, who has 7,860 lifetime driving wins from 46,646 starts, gets the call for the Snowshoe final. Henry was in the race bike for Cold Creek Pantera’s most recent Mohawk victory on Sept. 2, 2025.
“He has done quite well with Trevor,” said Crone. “I think this horse is getting a bit stronger and they seem to do well with one another.
The wagering menu for the race includes exactor, 20-cent triactor, 20-cent superfecta, 20-cent Pick 4 (Races 8-11), 20-cent Pick 3 (Races 8-10), daily double and swinger.
To view Saturday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Saturday Entries - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Woodbine)