Driver Jack Moiseyev worked out a perfect, pocket trip for Topaz Seelster in Thursday’s first leg of the Princess Pacing Series for three-year-old fillies, and the daughter of Apaches Fame had no problem turning the trip into a win.
Topaz Seelster, who hangs her harness bag in the barn of trainer Mark Cecile, drafted behind pacesetter Gargantua Hanover through splits of :28.2, :56.4 and 1:24.4 before launching a late attack.
Moiseyev angled his filly off the cones and she kicked out a :27.2 final quarter to win by more than four lengths over a late-closing Blogette Hanover. Third prize went to Bath Beach, who was making just her second start since capturing the $46,300 final of the Miss Vera Bars Series on February 12 at Woodbine Racetrack.
Topaz Seelster, who races for 1187422 Ontario Inc. of Gloucester, ON, is now a two-time winner in 2009. Her share of the $25,000 purse bumped her lifetime earnings to $60,238.
The second leg of the Princess Pacing Series is scheduled for next Thursday at Mohawk Racetrack, with the $77,000 (est.) final to follow on Thursday, May 7.
To view Thursday’s results, click here.