As the longest shot on the board, Trident Seelster returned a triple-digit win figure when landing a head in front at the finish of the $8,500 Horses & Geldings Preferred 3 Pace on Tuesday (June 23) at Georgian Downs.
Sitting seventh through a :27 first quarter, Trident Seelster stuck to the back of the pack while Cinnamack set and slowed the pace to a :57.4 half over a “sloppy” track. Into the backstretch Easy Flyer angled first over from third, prompting others to pull the right line heading to three-quarters in 1:26.
Sabine Pass, the 6-5 favourite, raced second over into the turn while Trident Seelster raced fourth over. Easy Flyer soon retreated, forcing Sabine Pass three wide with Trident Seelster also mounting a bid towards the centre of the track. Through the stretch Sabine Pass clung to command as Trident Seelster lunged for the lead late, edging to the front to win in a 1:55.4 mile at odds of 54-1. Cinnamack held third.
Returning $110.10 to win, Trident Seelster won his first race from 13 starts this season and his 10th from 108 overall, earning $87,397. Dale Heard conditions the six-year-old Big Jim gelding for owner Antonio Tangreda while Scott Coulter sat in the sulky.
Earlier in the card Esquire delivered in the $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot as the 1-5 favourite in a 1:56.4 mile.
Talbot Eh Plus cleared command heading to a :28.2 first quarter but soon began to tire as Eddy and Esquire circled by to race first and second respectively to a :58.1 half. Up the backstretch Esquire tipped out of the pocket and ranged to race alongside Eddy past three-quarters in 1:26 and into the final turn. Eddy maintained a narrow lead into the stretch but soon gave way to Esquire rallying past to win by one-and-a-half lengths. Caviars Triumph, off stride into the stretch, crossed the finish on a gallop in third.
A seven-year-old gelding by Kadabra, Esquire won his third race from 12 starts this season and his 15th from 64 overall, earning $148,595. Richard Moreau trains the $2.40 winner for owner Keith Cassell. Brett MacDonald sat in the bike.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Georgian Downs.