Woodbine: Hobnobsnob confirms love for turf in Victoriana score

ETOBICOKE, Ontario - Hobnobsnob led virtually all the way under Gerry Olguin to notch her first stakes win in the $127,000 Victoriana on a wet Wednesday night at Woodbine.

Hobnobsnob was pressed by Consecutive through moderate fractions in the mile and a sixteenth route, run on a rain-softened turf course that was labeled firm. She opened up a clear lead late on the turn and never looked back en route to a two-length score over Best Gift of All and Bear’s Gem, who dead-heated for second.

Favored Moonlit Beauty was checked along the rail heading into the turn, as the two leaders came over on her, and went on to finish ninth in the 13-horse field of Ontario-sired females.

The Victoriana was the first of three winners on the card for trainer Earl Barnett.

“She’s not that big, but she’s got heart,” said Barnett. “She works well on Polytrack, but I just couldn’t get any run out of her. Put her on the turf, and she’s a whole different horse.”

Hobnobsnob ($21.30) collected $75,000 for Openwood Farm.