Moblessinsdinblues and P L Broadway Joe front-stepped their way to a pair of dominant wins in each of the $4,900 Snowman Trotting Stake eliminations on a wet Saturday night at Sudbury Downs
, with their winning margins totalling nearly 10 lengths combined.
The new claiming handicap late closer is for $6,000 to $7,000 claiming horses and the finalists will return to Sudbury Downs for the $32,500 (added) final next Saturday, December 10. There will also be a $10,000 consolation race on the same day.
Moblessinsdinblues and driver Gerry Belanger established the lead from Post 3 in the first elimination and was confronted by Madhur Hanover (Jason Ryan) at the third quarter mark, but kicked away down the stretch to win by four lengths in 2:08.2 over the sloppy track, which was rated six seconds slow at the time. Madhur Hanover was the runner-up with second over Ew Royal Pain (Paul MacLean) coming in third over nine lengths behind.
The seven-year-old Royal Strength gelding is trained by Keith Jones for owner Douglas McCarthy of Holland Landing, Ont. The win was his second in eight starts since being claimed on Oct. 8 for $6,000 from Georgian Downs' Barrie Ford Summit Series. Moblessinsdinblues went on to win the bronze final of that series on Nov. 5 in a season's best 1:59 clocking.
Moblessinsdinblues paid $12.30 to win as the 5-1 fourth choice in the field.
The next elimination went to the Justin Turcotte-trained and driven P L Broadway Joe, who was untouchable as he left from Post 2 and romped to a five and three-quarter length score in 2:09.2 over the track rated eight seconds slow. Aforgottendynasty (Gerry Belanger) came on for second and Deputy Dylan (Jason Ryan) rounded out the top three over 10 lengths behind.
Turcotte purchased the six-year-old Mr Lavec gelding in early August this year and he has won three of his seven starts since.
P L Broadway Joe paid $4.70 to win as the 7-5 favourite.
In a $10,000 claimer held between the elimination races, last week's Harvest Claiming Series winner Cinema Classic romped to a four length 2:05.1 victory while the track was still ranked six seconds off. The four-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding is now two-for-two off the claim for local trainer, driver and owner Mike MacNeill.
Due to the poor weather conditions and difficulties with the starting gate taking off over the slick surface, the ninth race was declared a No Contest and the final 10th race was cancelled.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Sudbury Downs.