Round two of the Youthful Series went postward on Thursday evening at Woodbine Racetrack, with Piston Broke and Tye Seelster coming up big
in their respective divisions.
Piston Broke turned a two-hole trip into a 1:50.3 score in last week’s opening-round assignment in the Youthful Series, and he was equally impressive in Thursday’s front-stepping tally in a time of 1:54.1 for the tandem of driver Sylvain Filion and trainer Rob Fellows.
Filion hustled his charge off the gate, but found himself parked by DJ Lance past the quarter pole in :27.2. Piston Broke muscled his way to the top at the mid-way point of the first turn, and once he cleared it was game over. The gelding dictated the pace through middle panels of :56.4 and 1:26.1 before using a flashy final frame of :28 en route to a two-length triumph over Big Unit. Third prize was earned by DJ Lance.
“He was under wraps tonight,” Filion said following the win. “We were lucky to get an easy middle-half and that really helped. Down the stretch, I just chirped at him and he took off and I had him shut down at the wire. I like our chances in the final next week.”
Trainer Fellows shares ownership on the three-year-old son of Shark Gesture-Rebid with Willard Sabrosky of Madison Heights, MI and Arpad Szabo of Bradford, Ont. It was the third consecutive score for the gelding, who improved his 2012 record to 4-2-1 in 10 tries. The six-time winner has stashed away more than $86,000 in his career.
Tye Seelster turned a two-hole trip into a 10-1 upset in the second division for the duo of driver Jason Brewer and trainer Ed Hayter. It was the first win of the season for the three-year-old son of Camluck-The Patriot, who matched his lifetime mark by stopping the clock in 1:53.
Brewer marched his charge to the lead and threw down the :26.2 opener before giving way to race favourite Racing Rocky. That foe zipped past the half in :55.3 before getting blitzed around the final turn by Im The Pied Piper. Those two hooked up in a big battle all the way to the three-quarter in 1:24.1, but neither could fend off Tye Seelster who used a :28.1 closing panel to secure the win by half a length. Im The Pied Piper raced gamely to finish second, while Racing Rocky faded to finish third.
“He raced really well tonight,” trainer Ed Hayter said following the win. “He did get a great drive and had lots of speed to chase, but he finished strong for it just being his second start back. He equaled the Kawatha (Downs) track record last year, so he’s got the speed. Hopefully he continues to progress.”
Victor Hayter of Stratford, Ont. owns the lightly-raced colt, who won for the third time in his career. He has banked $54,420 to date.
(With quotes from WEG)
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.