Maddy Seelster and trainer-driver Ross Leonard made a quiet move at the end to surprise a field of nine in the $24,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Pace Friday, April 15 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino

. Maddy Seelster covered the distance in a time of 1:55.1, her first win of 2011.

Starting from Post 5, Maddy Seelster was very quiet in the early stages of the race, sitting behind the majority of the field as fractions of :27.3 and :57.2 were being established by High Speed Life and Ricky Macomber. Around the final turn, Maddy Seelster began to follow cover on the outside to move in on the leaders.

At the top of the stretch, Maddy Seelster was in contention for the top spot. The seven-year-old daughter of Southsider wore down the competition and eventually emerged as the leader, crossing under the wire with ease by two and one-quarter lengths. Fox Valley Absolut and Dave Magee finished second while Hoponit and Don Eash rallied in for third.

“I knew she (Maddy Seelster) was capable of being competitive in this race,” said Leonard. “She was sick last week, but she’s healthy now and was ready to race tonight and came back for the win.”

Owned by Michael and Laura Lee of Bridgeview, Illinois along with Leonard’s father, Terry, Maddy Seelster was making only her third start of 2011. The Indiana-sired mare earned her 41st career win and boosted her career earnings to more than $275,000 with the effort.

“She (Maddy Seelster) had a few good starts to get her tightened up for this win tonight,” said Leonard. “She is special to me, and a really nice horse. She’s a good mare and she’s a fighter.”

Leonard acquired Maddy Seelster during her three-year-old season at Indiana Downs. She was only in his barn for a few months before being claimed and moving to the East Coast for several years of racing. Leonard was able to get her back last May, and she has continued to improve ever since, taking a new lifetime mark last season at Indiana Downs in a time of 1:52.

Leonard relocated to the Indiana racing circuit from his home base in Harvard, Illinois six years ago. He completed the 2010 season with another solid showing, finishing among the top 20 drivers at the track. He and girlfriend, Rachel Matthews, oversee a stable of 10 at Hoosier Park. They were recently recognized for their hard work and dedication to their stable with the Barn Crew of the Month award.

(Hoosier Park)