Shocker in Snowshoe Series final

Shiny Mach won a stretch-long battle and prevailed as an upset winner of Friday's $47,600(C) Snowshoe Pacing Series final for 3 -and 4-year-old colts and geldings at Woodbine Racetrack. The final clocking of 1:54.4 was impressive considering the race was contested under frigid conditions as the recent cold snap in Toronto continued.

Leaving from post eight on Saturday night, driver Roger Mayotte took Shiny Mach off the gate and settled away second from last in the field of 10 as they reached the opening marker in a quick :27. The front-running Mighty Me took the field up to the halfway point in :57 with the outside horses beginning to mount challenges. At that stage, Shiny Mach was underway but had only made it up to eighth on the outside.

Despite a quickening tempo in the third quarter, the outside flow continued to advance and Shiny Mach found himself within striking range fifth on the outside at the third marker in 1:25.3.

As the field turned home, the leader began to tire and the backfield came to life. Shiny Mach kicked off his cover with authority but had to hold off race favorite Carat Hanover who had followed his cover all the way into the stretch. At the end, Shiny Mach was able to dig in and hold on for the hard-fought win with Carat Hanover finishing second and Windsun Twister rallying for the show spot.

Shiny Mach, a 4-year-old son of Mach Three-Armbro Jemstone, notched his fourth career win in just seven starts for trainer Neil MacInnis who co-owns along with Gerald Stay of Williamsvilee, N.Y. He returned a whopping $85.20 in the win and boosted his career bankroll to just shy of $50,000. (WEG)

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