Back-to-back bad beats for Sakic Seelster in the $50,000 Open Trot sent trainer Ben Baillargeon back to the drawing board, and a key shoeing change seemed to make all the difference in the world
for the gelding.
The six-year-old son of Eager Seelster-Armbro Super rocketed to immediate command from Post 6 for driver Mario Baillargeon, who carved fractions of :26.2, :54.4 and 1:24 with Sakic Seelster who used a :29.3 final frame to score in 1:53.3 – the nation’s fastest trotting mile of 2010. Sakic Seelster, who was sent off as a 12-1 outsider, won by more than six lengths over the 1-5 favourite, Define The World. Third prize went to Merited Victory.
“My brother [trainer Ben Baillargeon] changed the shoeing this week [aluminum to steel up front]. I’m not sure if it’s going to last two or three weeks, but we might have to change them again in a month. It sure worked tonight,” said driver Mario Baillargeon. “He’s got a big motor but he’s a tough horse to stay sound. My brother has got a lot of grey hair over the last few months, and it’s probably because of him.”
Sakic Seelster, who is owned by Santo Vena of Brampton and Nunzio Vena of Bolton, ON, has racked up three wins this season in just eight trips postward. The $25,000 payday gives the 19-time winner career earnings totaling $358,880.
Later on the Monday program Tacs Delight matched the mile turned in earlier on the card by Sakic Seelster when he stopped the clock in 1:53.3 to win Race 8 for driver Randy Waples.
The Steve Bossence-trained five-year-old son of Self Possessed-Famous Babell took over command at the mid-way point before sprinting to the three-quarter pole in 1:24.3 and finishing off the career-best mile in 1:53.3. Mystical Ryan was second and Meadowview Matty finished third.
Bossence shares ownership on the gelding with partners Dan Smith of London, ON and Lee Barton Enterprises Ltd of Edmonton, AB. The win was the seventh of the season in nine trips postward for Tacs Delight, who is just shy of $120,000 in lifetime earnings.
To view Monday’s results, click here.