There was a chance that the open class trotters at Woodbine Racetrack were going to get a break from the speedy Sakic Seelster, but plans for a possible European campaign have been put on ice
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The five-year-old Eager Seelster gelding has been virtually unstoppable since entering the Ben Baillargeon stable at the end of 2008. With eight wins in 10 starts, Sakic Seelster has trotted to a new lifetime mark of 1:53.1 and his slowest win time is 1:55.4. The two losses came after mid-race breaks, part of the reason why his trainer has opted to stay put with his top trotter for this season.
"If he was a 'bomb-proof' trotter, I might have considered it more seriously," Baillargeon told Trot Insider. "He's still not 100 per cent."
Interest from Norway was strong for a solid North American trotter, with horses like Enough Talk and Arch Madness still not solidified for overseas tours. Impressive showings in races like the Oslo Grand Prix typically evoke invitations from Solvalla for Sweden's famed Elitlopp.
"It's great to be asked but we'll concentrate on stakes here for this year," said Baillargeon. "He's eligible to the Maple Leaf Trot and the Masters Series at Georgian Downs. I'd like for him to have six solid months of racing for me to have a better idea of how he'd fare over there."
The Santo & Nunzio Vena-owned square-gaiter will face nine foes in this Monday's edition of the $50,000 Open Trot, including millionaire Armbro Chronicle and the debuting Digital Image.
For Monday's entries, click here.