Inside Track for January 17-18

A look at some of the top highlights from the past weekend of racing at Mohawk.

A Sly Score

It came down to the wire, but The Tulsa King emerged victorious in the first of two $18,000 divisions of the Snowshoe Pacing Series for three- and four-year-old males, Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Competing in the series opener after a sixth-place effort last out (January 10), the 4-year-old Shadow Play gelding displayed impressive poise to reach the wire a head clear of even-money choice Booker Seelster.

The Snowshoe score was the latest in a long line of memorable victories for the brother-sister driver-trainer duo of Todd and Mary Ratchford.

Bred by Robin Burke and owned by Josh MacDonald and Mike Dicks, The Tulsa King, at 9-5, paid $5.70.

 Chalk Talk

The second half of the Snowshoe doubleheader belonged to chalk 1-5 favourite Rbstenacious T, who with co-owner/driver Travis Cullen in tow, lived up to his billing with a smooth three-length triumph.

One week after notching his first win of the year, the 4-year-old out of Third Straight mare Aunt Marlene continued his recent string of excellence with minimal resistance.

Now up to 7-1-3 from 22 lifetime starts, Rbstenacious T has collected over $62,500 in prizes for owners Ronald Cullen, Travis Cullen, and Deborah McLeod.

Trained by Jodie Cullen, he paid $2.60.

*Later in the card, trainer Dave Menary surpassed the $30 million career earnings milestone with a $40,000 Open Pace win from Brue Hanover.

Toronto the Good

The third time proved to be the charm for veteran pacer Toronto, who secured his first win of the campaign for owners Ed and Ashleigh Hensley in Sunday’s fifth.

Showing steady improvement between his first two starts this season (sixth, then fourth last out), the 8-year-old Always B Miki gelding got over the hump with a strong :28.2 final quarter – the best of the bunch – to steer clear by 2 ½ lengths.

Driven by Ed and trained by Ashleigh, Toronto now sports a 17-12-20 line across 122 career starts ($257,731).

At 8-1 Sunday, Toronto paid $18.30.