Protecting position when inheriting the pylon post, Absolut Seelster turned away the favourite’s first over challenge to win the $11,500 Preferred 2 Handicap Trot at Flamboro Downs on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Absolut Seelster slid to the lead before a :28.3 opening quarter and remained unchallenged to a :58.4 half. What Chapter, the 6-5 favourite, tipped first over from fourth passing the half and ranged to within a length of the lead passing three-quarters in 1:27.4 but faltered circling the final turn. Willyorwonthe pulled three wide to give chase in second, finishing two lengths behind Absolut Seelster in a 1:57 mile. What Chapter held third.
A six-year-old mare by Angus Hall, Absolut Seelster won her seventh race from 29 starts this season and her 28th from 119 overall, earning $275,041. Scott Young steered the Benoit Baillargeon trainee who paid $10.60 to win.
In the race prior, 8-5 favourite Tax Savings took the front from post 5 and won the $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot drawing away in 1:56.2.
Driver Colin Kelly took control with the five-year-old Windsong Espoir mare heading to a :27.4 first quarter with Power And Grace securing the pocket from post 7. Tax Savings took the field past the half in :58.3 and bore minor first-over pressure from Y A Muscle Mass passing three-quarters in 1:27.3. The Jared Bako trainee spun into the stretch and opened three-and-a-quarter lengths on Power And Grace heading to the finish while Heineken Seelster rode a pylon trip to snag third.
Owned by Ashley Bako, Tax Savings won her fourth race from 26 starts this season and her 15th from 74 overall, earning $111,536. She paid $5.20 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.