When it comes to their horses, many trainers believe that with great patience comes great reward. John Pentland is no exception

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The resident of Dorchester, Ont., who recently relocated to Classy Lane Training Centre with 10 horses for the winter months, remains hopeful that Del Rio Seelster and Pisti can be on the top of their respective games when they battle in their $25,000 Autumn Stakes eliminations this Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack.

Both sophomore pacers are lightly raced and have combined for just 19 starts, but Pentland believes that has been a blessing in disguise.

Del Rio Seelster, who captured the $54,000 final of the Ontario Graduate Series in 1:52.1 at Georgian Downs in his most recent outing, will headline his elimination for driver Scott Zeron.

“He came up sick about a week after that final in Barrie,” Pentland said. “I was planning on giving him a week off anyways, then he got sick, but he also recovered very quickly.”

Following a recent qualifying victory on November 24 at Mohawk Racetrack, Pentland is confident that was a good enough mile to have his student prepared for this weekend’s task.

“I think he will be just fine on the weekend,” he said. “He’s lightly raced this season and I think that’s the main reason why he’s been racing so well. He had allergy issues all summer, so I decided to wait on him and have him ready for some winter stakes events at Woodbine.”

The son of Modern Art--Demi Seelster is a full brother to Ontario Sires Stakes graduate Deuce Seelster ($1,128,505).

“Speed isn’t an issue with him,” Pentland noted. “Training down, he always showed me that he had a great turn of foot and a desire to go forward. He’s got a terrific attitude and is without a doubt the best gaited horse I have ever had.”

Del Rio Seelster boasts a record of 5-1-1 from 10 career starts with $69,650 in the bank for Pentland’s wife, Natalie, who co-owns the gelding with Synerco Ventures Inc. and Clarence Devos.

Pisti, a homebred son of Camluck--Dexter Doll, will be looking for his third lifetime victory on Saturday. He is scheduled to strut his stuff in Race 9 for Pentland and owner CJS Stable.

The veteran conditioner is hoping Pisti's elimination brings out his best effort to date. The race will be Pisti's 10th career start.

“He raced 'okay' in last start, I guess, but he didn’t have that pop at the end of the mile,” Pentland said. “He had a cut on his lower leg and I think that was bothering him more than anything. We are treating that and he should be better on the weekend.”

The gelding re-emerged in mid-October following a summer hiatus.

“He came up lame,” Pentland said. “It was nothing serious, but we just had to give him some time off. It proved to be worth it. He started back with a good qualifier then a pair of second-place finishes before a win, all at Woodbine.

“I think having these two horses as fresh as they are right now only adds to their chances, not only in this stakes series, but overall in the coming months,” Pentland added.

With $27,010 in lifetime earnings, Pisti boasts a career-best clocking of 1:53.

To view the harness racing entries for Saturday at Woodbine, click the following link: Saturday - Woodbine Racetrack.

(WEG)