The field for the Snowshoe Stakes was narrowed down to 10 after two $20,000 eliminations were contested at a snowy Woodbine Racetrack on Friday night
. The stake event is for three and four-year-old colts and geldings that are non-winners of two races lifetime as of Oct. 31, 2010.
Hamlin Hanover pulled off a mild 5-1 upset while earning his first career victory in the first elimination for trainer and co-owner David Menary.
Leaving from Post 8, Hamlin Hanover and driver Randy Waples settled back into sixth place while Chanceofa Lifetime (Mark MacDonald) fired to his inside and put up a :26.4 opening quarter. A parked out Midwest Hanover (Luc Ouellette) cleared past the opening marker, but his lead was short lived as the popular Playing Solitaire (Mario Baillargeon) moved up to take control as they moved towards the half in :55.
There was a new leader by the next marker in 1:23.3, however, as Premier Intel (Rick Zeron) advanced to command with Hamlin Hanover following that move. With his eye on the prize, the 5-1 fifth choice hauled down Premier Intel just before the wire in 1:52. Premier Intel was edged out by a half-length for the victory while Playing Solitaire shot up the rail for third.
Hamlin Hanover paid $13.90 to win. The four-year-old gelded son of Cams Card Shark-Holding Court, who has finished in the money in all but one of his six career starts, is owned by Menary, Francis Richard of Becancour, Que., Brenton Harris and Stephen Johnson of Whitby, Ont. The lion’s share of the purse more than doubled his bankroll to $18,480.
Driven by Mark MacDonald, The Platinum Guy braved the heavy snowfall and converted from the pocket to win the second elimination for trainer and co-owner Marty Fine.
Cheyenne Oxe (Mike Saftic) raced to the opening quarter in :27 ahead The Platinum Guy but as they entered the backstretch, MacDonald sent The Platinum Guy to the top. He was followed by the popular Web Cam (Randy Waples), who reached the half in :57.1 and then three-quarters in 1:27. MacDonald pulled the pocket in the stretch and cruised past the 3-5 favourite to win in 1:55.3 over a track rated one second off. Cheyenne Oxe finished one and a half lengths behind in second and Web Cam was third.
The Platinum Guy paid $9.60 to win as the 7-2 second choice. The three-year-old gelded son of Mach Three-Proxahantis improved his record to 4-2-1 in 13 starts and lifted his bankroll to $54,225 for Fine, Daniel Clements, Gary McCready and Norman Clements, all of Uxbridge, Ont.
Here is a look at the field for next week's $60,000 final:
1. Premier Intel
2. Cheyenne Oxe
3. The Platinum Guy
4. Hamlin Hanover
5. The Best Toy
6. Mexs Million
7. Intermezzo Hanover
8. Freeneasy Hanover
9. Web Cam
10. Playing Solitaire
AE1. Chanceofa Lifetime
To view Friday's results, click here.