He didn’t prevail in any of the six divisions in the first two legs of the Snowshoe Pacing series, but expect Giddy Up Delight to give a winning effort when $64,100 final goes
Friday night at Woodbine.
Now, the four-year-old Bettors Delight gelding, trained by Joey Shea for his cousin David Shea of Campbellville, is hardly a 50-1 longshot, but the mild upset is possible at a value price. The New Jersey-bred is listed at 9-2 in the morning line after finishing second in both legs to the final’s 3-1 early choice, Cane Ridge.
Shea, who has 329 career wins, figures Giddy Up Delight is set for a stakes title. “He seems good. He trained good this week and he came out of the race last week really good, so we’re hoping for a big cheque.”
Unlocking the pace mystery of the Snowshoe may be the key factor in uncovering the winner. The final appears to have more front end speed than any of the other divisions of the preliminary races. Giddy Up Delight was out of his element in the early legs, being on or near the lead through the opening splits. Shea noticed and a return to his off-the-pace style is preferred.
“He was also on the front end at Woodbine once last year and it was windy and he got caught right on the wire (February 22, finished second),” Shea, who trains five for his cousin, said. “He would rather come from fourth or fifth, or even further back than that. That’s they way he likes it, but it all depends on how the race sets up.”
Paul MacDonell, with seven wins on the campaign, gets the return call from post five.
Racing fans may remember Shea as the trainer of Keep It Real, the post-time favourite for the 26th edition of the Pepsi North America Cup last June. Keep It Real finished third behind Well Said in WEG’s signature race, but is set to become one of the dominant four-year-olds of the early stakes season.
Shea sends out Keep It Real and Handsome Harry in the second leg of the Willowdale Pacing Series on Saturday.
As for the rest of the Snowshoe, it is a wide-open, excellent betting race. Cane Ridge (post 1, driver Rick Zeron, trainer Travis Umphrey) is the legit early choice off his two wins and fine gate lick, but Lake Shark (3, Mark MacDonald, Casie Coleman), the 4-1 second choice, has speed as well and may challenge early.
Pinner (Anthony MacDonald, Zaim Cunmulaj) who also won two early divisions is the 5-1 fourth choice and appears to be peaking off three straight scores, but drew post nine.
The final of the Snowshoe Pacing Series goes as Race 8 with post-time set for 9:50 pm on the Woodbine evening card. First race post-time is 7:30 pm.
(WEG)
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