After capturing his elimination one week ago, Protege Seelster prevailed in the $60,000 Autumn Stakes final for three-year-old trotting colts on a snowy Monday night at Woodbine Racetrack while Stonebridge Bonus earned a maiden-breaking score in the $50,000 final for two-year-old pacing colts
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With Oh No Three O, Grande Diablo and Charmbo Tie all scratched from the three-year-old trotting colt final, I Aint No Worser (Jody Jamieson), originally assigned Post 9, was able to easily cross over in front of the reduced field to take the early lead before the :29.3 opening quarter.
It wasn’t long before elimination winner Roush Hanover (Sylvain Filion), the 2-5 favourite, made a backstretch brush from the pocket and hit the half in :59.2.
Making a costly break in behind the new leader, I Aint No Worser left the other elim winner, Protege Seelster and driver Roger Mayotte, to inherit the pocket spot en route to three-quarters in 1:28.2. The son of Striking Sahbra-Pepi Lavec pulled out in the stretch and came charging after Roush Hanover to prevail in 1:57.3 by a head. Civic Duty (Mario Baillargeon) recovered from a break off the gate to finish third, over three lengths behind.
Protege Seelster paid $8.00 to win as the 3-1 second choice. Trainer Peter Carroll shares ownership of the gelding with Sam Angelopoulos of Cambridge, Ont. With the win, Protege Seelster improved his 2010 record to 4-3-4 in 23 starts while lifting his bankroll to $77,840.
Three races later, Stonebridge Bonus pulled off a 20-1 shocker in the two-year-old pacing colt final against a field that was reduced to seven with three scratches including Pownal Bay Cooper, Carsons Payback and Rez Rockstar.
Royal Will (Mario Baillargeon) flashed early gate speed along with elimination winner The Platinum Guy (Jody Jamieson) and 4-5 favourite Tribute To Gear (Mark MacDonald).
The Platinum Guy cleared the lead at the :26.4 first quarter mark with Tribute To Gear rolling up to take over down the backstretch.
As the field raced past the half in :55.4, driver Simon Allard sent Stonebridge Bonus first over from sixth and swept up to take control by three-quarters in 1:24.3. The Life Sign-Stonebridge First colt opened up three lengths in the stretch en route to a 1:53.2 victory. The Platinum Guy edged out Royal Will in a photo for place.
Stonebridge Bonus paid $43.90 for the upset. Rene Allard trains and co-owns the colt, who sports a record reading 1-2-3 in nine outings, with Alan Alber of Thornhill, Ont. The lion’s share of the purse boosted his bankroll to $36,025.
To view Monday’s results, click here.