Kendall Seelster powered by Darlinonthebeach late to win a star-studded $30,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace on Friday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
A talented field of six with combined earnings of $4.7 million battled in Friday’s feature contest.
Sandbetweenurtoes left hard from the rail looking for the lead, while sophomore filly Double A Mint also fired towards the top and led on the outside by a length a :27 opener. Exhilarated overtook the top spot in the second quarter after being parked and hit the half in :55.4.
Double A Mint popped the two-hole heading into the far turn to reclaim the lead. Darlinonthebeach, who was searching for a repeat in the Preferred, got underway from fifth and came first-up in the third quarter to draw within a length of the lead turning for home. Kendall Seelster and driver Sylvain Filion followed Darlinonthebeach and sat in a perfect second-over spot.
Double A Mint led into the lane off a three-quarter clocking of 1:24.
In the stretch, Double A Mint battled tough before surrendering the lead in the final eighth. Darlinonthebeach muscled to the lead but couldn’t hold off a charging Kendall Seelster. The three-year-old daughter of Shadow Play hit the line first in 1:50.4, prevailing by three-quarters of a length. Double A Mint held third, while Bettors Up finished fourth.
Trained by Rod Boyd, Kendall Seelster entered Friday’s contest winless in her last three starts after capturing back-to-back editions of the Preferred in early November. Her sophomore numbers now jump to eight wins and $268,465 earned in 22 starts.
Kendall Seelster's late-season success over older rivals adds to her impressive career accomplishments. She now has 12 wins and $722,450 in career earnings for owner 1187422 Ontario Inc.
A $2 win ticket on Kendall Seelster returned $9.50.
Live racing continues Saturday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7:10 p.m.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Woodbine Mohawk Park)