Setting a slow tempo on the front, Absolut Seelster faced a late challenge for the front but held firm with a 1:54.4 neck victory in the $11,500 Preferred 2 Trot on Tuesday, June 25 at Georgian Downs.
Leaving from the pegs, Absolut Seelster secured an uncontested lead while post 2-starter Fly Beyond slid into the pocket. The field aligned single file and nearly in post position order heading to a :28.2 first quarter and stayed intact before hitting a :58 half.
Fly Beyond veered from the pocket in the backside to confront Absolut Seelster moving towards three-quarters, timed in 1:26, but lost ground on the pacesetter circling the final turn. Upon straightening for the finish, Fly Beyond surged towards the leader once more but finished short of victory on the wire. Willyorwonthe, sitting sixth throughout, closed for third.
Owned by Thomas and Elizabeth Rankin, Absolut Seelster won her fifth race from 19 starts this season and her 26th from 109 overall, earning $251,236. Benoit Baillargeon conditions the six-year-old Angus Hall mare and Scott Young drove the $16.20 winner.
Favourite Ole Jack Magic rode pocket in the co-featured $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot and pounced on pacesetter Bastiano to win in 1:56.2. The eight-year-old Kadabra gelding stalked the leader through fractions of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:27.3 before edging from second moving towards the stretch and kicking past to a length victory. Bastiano settled for second while Euro Classic, stalking the top two, took third.
Ole Jack Magic won his third race from 19 starts this season and his 24th from 148 overall, earning $372,758. Richard Moreau trains the $3.00 winner for owner Home Stretch Holdings Inc. Alfie Carroll sat in the sulky.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Georgian Downs.