'Protege' Upsets WEG's Preferred Trotters

Protege Seelster pulled off a 17-1 upset in edging out O'Brien Award winner Frenchfrysnvinegar in the featured $38,000 Preferred Trot Monday night at Woodbine

Racetrack.

Driver Randy Waples fired Protege Seelster off the gate from Post 8 and was caught four-wide as he raced down the stretch in a battle for the early lead. Protege Seelster settled on top ahead of 1-2 favourite Frenchfrysnvinegar (Jody Jamieson) before the first turn and hit the opening quarter mark in a sizzling :26.2.

As the field of eight headed down the backstretch, Order By Roosevelt (Paul MacDonell) launched a first over attack from third and swept to command at the half in :57. Meanwhile, 39-1 longshot Imminent Response (Chris Christoforou), who only had the two breakers beaten, began to advance from the backfield and moved into striking position by the three-quarters mark, reached by Order By Roosevelt in 1:26.2.

Down the stretch, Protege Seelster managed to squeeze out of the pocket between the leading Order By Roosevelt and first over Imminent Response while Frenchfrysnvinegar manoeuvred out and around the top three for a clear path. As the four horses approached the wire, Protege Seelster pushed ahead and held off the late-surging Frenchfrysnvinegar by a head in 1:55 flat. Imminent Response finished a half-length back in third between horses while Order By Roosevelt finished one and half lengths back in fourth.

Protege Seelster paid $37.30 for the upset. The victory was his third (consecutive) and fastest from five starts this year lifting his seasonal earnings to $43,750. The lion's share of the purse pushed the 14-time winner's career bankroll over the $200,000 mark.

The five-year-old Striking Sahbra-Pepi Lavec gelding is trained by Corey Johnson for owner by Mac Nichol of Burlington, Ont.

To view Monday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Monday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.