Woodbine Harness: Snowstorm Hanover goes down the road in Valley Victory

In a race without much drama, Snowstorm Hanover took command and never looked back to capture the C$404,000 Valley Victory Final for 2-year-old trotting colts at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday night.

There was plenty of interest in the early lead as five horses showed speed, but Snowstorm Hanover was able to secure the front ahead of Moonshiner Hanover and Jake. Driver Matt Kakaley set fractions of 28 1/5, 57 3/5 and 1:25 3/5 as he opened up on the field around the final turn.

With a sizable advantage, Kakaley put Snowstorm Hanover to an all-out drive, and he held sway to win by a diminishing margin in 1:55 1/5 over International Moni and Jake.

“I got the front just like in the elimination and held them off,” said Kakaley about the trip. “He was getting a little tired, but he was still game.”

For Snowstorm Hanover ($4.90), who is trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing, Frank Baldachino, Phillip Collura and Weaver Bruscemi, it was his sixth win in 14 career starts. The son of Muscle Massive has now earned over $300,000 lifetime.