Trotter Thor Seelster and pacing mare Murphys Ideal shared the spotlight on Wednesday evening at The Raceway at the Western Fair District with a pair of front-stepping victories in the $7,500 Preferred 3 co-features.
Thor Seelster ($35.20) and driver Paul MacKenzie pulled off a 16-1 upset in the trotting division as they went wire-to-wire in 2:01.3 over the sloppy track. Cimeronken, away third from the trailing tier, overtook 3-5 pocket-puller Lily Pad Hanover around the final turn and finished less than a length behind the winner in second-place.
The victory was Thor Seelster's first since being claimed for $8,000 on Jan. 3 by John Patterson and joining the Pam Forgie stable. The six-year-old gelded son of Pegasus Spur now has seven career wins and over $75,000 in prize money.
Murphys Ideal ($9.30) faced first over attacker Insincerity as they approached the third quarter mark in the fillies and mares event, but Murphys Ideal fought back down the stretch to win by a quarter-length in 1:59.1 with Alfie Carroll aboard. Haute Couture came wide from last to show.
Gord McDonnell trains and co-owns the seven-year-old daughter of American Ideal with Vince Orlando and Steve John. Murphys Ideal has now won 32 races and is nearing the $100,000 mark in earnings.
Thor Seelster's 16-1 upset in the second race followed up another 16-1 surprise in the opener, turned in by Armada Seelster ($34.00) and Ryan Holliday. After Murphys Ideal's victory, Wednesday's card also produced back-to-back 40-1 upsets when the Ross Battin-driven Bad Outlaw ($87.70) and Distant Cam ($91.90), with Nick Steward aboard, scored victories in the seventh and eighth races.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Western Fair.