Platoon Seelster made his first start of the 2016 season a winning one thanks to Thursday’s triumph in the $11,000 Preferred 2 for trotters at Flamboro Downs.
In rein to Ryan Holliday, Platoon Seelster tucked into an early five-hole while race favourite Delcrest Massy front-stepped his way through fractions of :29.1, 1:00.1 and 1:30. Platoon Seelster, who was still fifth at the mid-way point of the contest, got into the flow in the backstretch and wound up making a three-wide bid to go after the leader at the three-quarter pole. The gelding then used a :31.1 closing quarter to win by three-quarters of a length over Delcrest Massy, with Rossini taking home third prize.
The four-year-old son of Federal Flex-Personal Hanover hangs his harness bag in the barn of trainer Dave Holliday for owners Caroline Holliday and Dennis Hannath. It was the fourth lifetime tally for OSS grad who is less than $100 shy of surpassing $250,000 in career earnings.
Euro Classic also used come-from-behind tactics to capture Thursday’s $7,500 Preferred 3 for trotters. Per Henriksen sat fourth through the opening half with the gelding, who then caught cover on the way to the three-quarter pole. Henriksen cut his charge loose in the late stages of the mile and the trotter got up to win by a neck over the tempo-setting favourite, Dragin The Wagon, in 2:00.2. Massive Muscles was a lapped-on third.
Trainer Ann Karin Larsen shares ownership on the eight-year-old son of Chocolatier-Donven Fury with Tor Jan Larsen and Odd Larsen. It was the second consecutive tally for the 26-time winner who now boasts a bankroll that stands at $178,169.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Flamboro Downs.