Is National Seelster, a star of New York Sires Stakes, a single-circuit specialist, or is he ready to step up to bigger tracks and bigger game?
The son of Bettors Delight-No Strikes Against may answer that question in Saturday’s eliminations for the $525,000 Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids Presented by Coors Light at The Meadows.
The three eliminations have been carded as Race 4 through Race 6. The program will kick off with a first-race post time of 6:55 p.m.
National Seelster has dominated NYSS action, with four wins in as many legs. But two of those victories came on half-mile ovals at Monticello Raceway and Yonkers Raceway. Chris Ryder, who trains National Seelster for Robert Mondillo and Oompa’s Farm, thinks his star will have little trouble handling the Meadows’ five-eighths-mile track since he’s already won at several bigger tracks.
“It’s turning out he does excel on a half, but it remains to be seen how he’ll do on bigger tracks,” Ryder said. “I don’t think a bigger track will be a problem, but he certainly does like the half.”
National Seelster finished second to division leader Wiggle It Jiggleit in a Hempt elimination at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs — also a five-eights-mile track — but drew Post 9 in the final and couldn’t get involved. Unraced at age two, he has won seven of 13 starts and $137,402 this year, with a mark of 1:50.2 — on the seven-eighths-mile track at Vernon Downs
The colt’s performance has caught the attention of horsemen in an acquisition mode. In fact, Ryder indicated that following his most recent victory, the owners received an overture from a “serious” potential buyer.
“My owners aren’t looking to sell, so they weren’t major talks,” Ryder said.
Ryder said he’s used his customary training regimen to prepare National Seelster for the Adios, and that the colt has responded well.
“I tried backing off with him in the spring, but he didn’t like it,” Ryder says. “I’ve gone back to the usual methods.”
National Seelster will start from Post 3 in Race 4. He is the 5-2 second choice on the morning line and will have the driving services of Tim Tetrick. Ryder, who has been known to drive some of his own stakes horses at the Meadows, said he never entertained the notion of putting down his own name.
“I like driving my own horses once in a while when we get stuck for a driver, but I wouldn’t want to embarrass myself,” he said. “I like the big boys with broad shoulders to take the responsibility. I need someone to blame.”
The fields for the eliminations, in post position order with drivers, trainers and morning line odds:
Race 4
1. Chaching Hanover, Dick Stillings, Jan Fread, 5-1
2. Angelo J Fra, Tony Hall, Norm Parker, 12-1
3. National Seelster, Tim Tetrick, Chris Ryder, 5-2
4. Dreams Beachboy, Dave Palone, Tony Alagna, 3-1
5. Rufo, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke, 10-1
6. Dragon Eddy, Corey Callahan, John Butenschoen, 8-5
Race 5
1. Lost For Words, David Miller, Brian Brown, 5-1
2. Badiou Hanover, Andy Miller, Julie Miller, 8-1
3. Tomy Terror, Mike Wilder, John Butenschoen, 4-1
4. Rock N Roll World, Tim Tetrick, Kelly Stackowicz, 7-2
5. Cooperstown, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke, 10-1
6. Dudes The Man, Corey Callahan, Jessica Okusko, 2-1
Race 6
1. Berkley, David Miller, Randy Bendis, 4-1
2. Yankee Bounty, Corey Callahan, Ron Burke, 6-1
3. Utah Beach, Andy Miller, Tim Twaddle, 8-1
4. Trading Up, Dave Palone, Tony Alagna, 7-2
5. Jo Pas Well Said, Marcus Miller, Jim Campbell, 8-1
6. My Hero Ron, Yannick Gingras, Ron Burke, 5-2
7. Rise Up Now, Tim Tetrick, Brian Brown, 5-1
(Meadows)