Top ranked sophomores deliver in SBOA Finals

MILTON, May 17, 2025 – Ontario sired three-year-olds took centre stage on Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park for the SBOA Stakes Finals.

All four divisions for sophomores saw finals contested on Saturday, on a windy evening at the Campbellville oval.

Chantilly, the 2024 Canadian Horse of the Year, improved her undefeated record to 10 for 10 with a victory in the SBOA Filly Pace. To read about Chantilly’s season debut victory, click here.

Ontario Super Stakes champion Crack Shot overpowered his rivals to win the $126,912 SBOA Final for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

Driven by Doug McNair, Crack Shot was one of several to show early speed and would eventually drop in third coming out of the first turn. The Gregg McNair trainee didn’t sit long and would rush towards the lead, clearing just after a :54.3 first-half.

Crack Shot would open up on nearest rival Fifth And Five at three-quarters and never looked back for a 3 ¾ length victory in 1:51.

Sterling Choice finished second, while Boxer Seelster and Time Passer completed the Superfecta.

A son of Bettors Delight, Crack Shot improved to two for two on the season and is now a seven-time winner from 10 starts for owners Gregg McNair, Dale Hunter, Frank Brundle and George Keer.

Crack Shot’s victory was the latest victory for co-owner Hunter, the head coach of the Ontario Hockey League champion London Knights. The Knights captured their second consecutive OHL title on Thursday.

“It’s been a busy week, but an enjoyable week when you win,” said Hunter. “To win this race and to get to go to the Memorial Cup, I love it. It’s all about sports, that’s what is a joy about it, you don’t know what’s going to happen.”

With the SBOA victory, Crack Shot remains as one of the leading contenders for this year’s Pepsi North America Cup.

“It’s hard to win,” said Hunter. “There’s a lot of good horses and for me it’s teams, there’s a lot of good teams in the hockey world. When you win, you’ve got to appreciate every moment.”

Crack Shot’s latest win puts him over $300,000 in career earnings. He paid $2.40 to win.

Team McNair had a big night at the office on Saturday, as Doug guided the Gregg-trained Galen Erso to victory in the $130,913 SBOA Trot for three-year-old colts and geldings.

A son of Green Manalishi S, Galen Erso had to grind first-up around the far turn and held off a late push from longshot Fast Snap to win in 1:55.0.

Chicago Hall was third, while Cousin Halifax was fourth.

Galen Erso was making his first for new owner Brad Grant, after being sold by Marcus Melander. The son of Green Manalishi S is now one for two this season and four for nine overall, with over $270,000 earned.

Galen Erso paid $3.10 to win.

The $136,513 SBOA Filly Trot went to 8-5 second-choice Green Glider for driver Bob McClure and trainer Scott McEneny.

A daughter of Green Manalishi S, Green Glider showed plenty of determination by marching first-up from fifth around the far turn and powering down the lane to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.

McClure was driving Green Glider for the first time Saturday, as regular driver Trevor Henry was out of town.

“I talked to Trevor before he left and he told me just how much he liked her and how nice she was and her lines just speak for themselves,” said McClure. “I wasn’t too worried about first up, I figured it was between me and Monalishi and the way mine’s been finishing I didn’t think she could get by me.”

Sprite Seelster moved to the lead in the second-split and took the field by fractions of :56.3 and 1:25.3. Green Glider would wear down Sprite Seelster throughout the stretch drive for the score. Race-favourite Monalishi, who sat second-over behind the eventual winner, just edged Sprite Seelster for second.

Green Glider is now two for three to start her three-year-old season after winning twice in eight starts at age two. Her SBOA Final win takes her to $122,764 earned for owners Andrea Lea Racingstables Inc.

A $2 win ticket on Green Glider returned $5.30.

Live racing resumes Monday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 6:35 p.m.