A pair of veteran equines schooled their competitors on Saturday at Sudbury Downs. Eight-year-olds Thomson Seelster and Speedy Desperado were the winners in the evening’s co-featured Preferred events.

Fan favourite Thomson Seelster converted from the perfect pocket trip to win the $12,500 Not Listed Preferred Pace in 2:01.2 for trainer/driver Gerry Belanger.

The bay gelding pulled off his second consecutive win for the Belanger Racing Stables of Barrie, Ont. after popping the pocket in the stretch. Thomson Seelster came home in :28.3 for the win by a head over the pacesetter Owhatabeachbum (David Dowling). Seawind Gambler (Allan Hohner) finished back in third.

The son of Rustler Hanover scored his ninth win of 2008 and his 57th of his career pushing his bankroll to $529,324.

In the Not Listed Preferred Trot, Speedy Desperado used a first-over trip to take the lion’s share of the $12,500 purse with Richard Turcotte at the lines.

The gelded son of Wesgate Crown tipped out from third before the half and advanced on the pacesetter, Terra Cotta Caddy (Allan Hohner). The Don Wilcox pupil pulled away by three lengths in the stretch for the mild 4-1 upset in 2:04.3.

The pocket-sitter True High Voltage (Scott Altizer) was the runner-up while Charlie O Charlie (Gerry Belanger) recovered from an early miscue to finish third.

Margaret Wilcox of Midland, Ont. owns the winner of three races this year. The bay’s 10th career win brought his earnings to $85,032.

To view Saturday’s results, click here.