Del Rio Seelster successfully made the move from the top claiming ranks to the Open ranks Sunday at Running Aces by capturing the $8,500 Open Pace in 1:52.1.
Driver Tim Maier, the leader at the meet after the first two weeks, had the Del Rio Seelster positioned fourth at the halfway point – just as he did last week in a $12,500 claimer – then paced the quickest final quarter in the race to win by a head over Canadian Touch (driven by Steve Wiseman) and R Gauwitz Hanover (Kim Pluta). Del Rio Seelster is owned and trained by Maier's son, Daniel.
A pair of $6,500 trotting events for Minnesota-sired three-year-olds was presented earlier on the program with repeat winners in both splits. The filly division went to Al Mar Pizzazz (Tim Maier) in 2:01.1. Country Cheerio (Adam Hauser) finished second and CDs SOS (Nick Roland) finished third. Owned by trainer Ulf Holm-Johansen and partner Vernon Devine, the black filly ran her record to a perfect three-for-three in 2014 despite a scary moment when she bobbled at the head of the stretch, lost ground, and recovered quickly to maintain the advantage.
Chewy Dunkerton (Roland) is the dominant force in the colts and geldings’ division thus far by virtue of his three-for-three win record in this young season. He won Sunday’s colts and geldings’ division in 2:01. Trainer Jesse DeLong's son, Ben, owns the black gelding who was last year's freshman champion among Minnesota-sired horses.
A huge throng of Father's Day fans turned out for the 11-race card.
(Running Aces)