Platoon Seelster and driver Ryan Holliday equalled the all-age trotting track record at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Wednesday night (May 25) with a 1:56 triumph in $11,000 Preferred 2.
Platoon Seelster matched the track record that Brawn Seelster set almost eight years ago to the day (May 30, 2008).
Making his second start over the London, Ont. half-mile oval, the four-year-old gelded son of Federal Flex took the lead off the gate from the inside post position in a quick opening quarter of :27.2 and never looked back through middle splits of :58 and 1:26.4 en route to the 1:56 record victory. Delcrest Massy (Alfie Carroll) followed in the pocket spot two and a half lengths behind the winner while Call Me Richard (J Harris) advanced first over from the backfield and finished third.
Platoon Seelster is trained by Holliday's father David, and owned by his wife Caroline along with partner Dennis Hannath. The Ontario Sires Stakes graduate now sports a career record reading 6-7-5 in 27 starts and earnings just over $277,000.
Sent postward as the 2-5 favourite, Platoon Seelster paid $2.90 to win.
In the $8,500 Preferred 3 Handicap, Pompano Park shipper Tymal Recap ($6.20) fought off 1-2 favourite Summit City Nate (Alfie Carroll) after being headed down the backstretch and then held off Jayport All Muscle (Bob McClure) by three-quarters of a length at the finish in a 1:59.4 mile. Aaron Byron drove the eight-year-old Ken Warkentin gelding to his ninth win of the year for trainer Mark Winacott and owners Carrielyn Shelswell and Paul Kelly.
With a gutsy first over effort in the $7,500 Preferred 3 for pacers, Warrior Call ($6.10) and Alfie Carroll wore down 4-5 favourite Stoney Durkin (Nick Steward) in the stretch to score the 1:55.3 victory by three-quarters of a length. Gord McDonnell trains and co-owns the five-year-old gelded son of Badlands Hanover with Vince Orlando and Steve John. The win was the second in a row for the ownership group as their pacing mare Goldies Mach also prevailed in the previous race.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Western Fair.