REXDALE, ON — Trainer Ben Wallace and driver Mario Baillargeon teamed up for wins in two of three Gold Series Eliminations at Woodbine Racetrack on Thursday evening.
The Milton residents posed in the winner’s circle after Races 2 and 3 with two-year-old pacing colts Gotta Feeling and Famous Seelster as both colts cruised to easy victories.
Woodbine fans sent Gotta Feeling off as their top choice from Post 2 in the second race and the Camluck colt responded with an effortless wire-to-wire victory in 1:54.2. Acquired by Arlene and Jules Siegel of New Hope, PA at last fall’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale for the princely sum of $150,000, Gotta Feeling was given his early lessons by New Jersey-based trainer Jim Campbell before shipping into the Wallace stable at the beginning of July.
“I take no credit for Gotta Feeling,” said Wallace after the colt’s win over Au Rumba and Rustys Gold. “Jim Campbell sent me a perfectly conditioned racehorse. I’ve had him for two weeks maybe, and just filled in the spots and he responded greatly.”
While the fans were confident Gotta Feeling could deliver the goods they were astounded when Famous Seelster captured the second elimination. The Rustler Hanover colt went to the post as the second longest shot in the third race and returned $88.50 to win, $24.80 to place and $6.50 to show. Even more surprising to the educated Woodbine railbirds was the colt’s five and a half length margin of victory and 1:54 winning time, the fastest of the three eliminations.
“This colt, he had a good winter as well and qualified good his first time, and we were really careful the second trip,” said Wallace. “When Mario (Baillargeon) moved him he looked very strong. I thought if he cleared Jody (Jamieson’s) colt (Village Blitz) he’d be good at the wire, because that’s been his forte.”
Black Horse Racing of Lebanon, NJ own Famous Seelster, who was a comparative bargain at $42,000 at the Kentucky Standardbred Sale. The colt bested Boulder Creek and favourite Village Blitz to score the win.
The final division went to reigning Gold Final champion Sir Luck, who cruised to a 1:55 victory over Armbro Anthony and Make It Brief. Mike Saftic drives the Camluck colt for trainer Bill Budd of Carlisle and owners C and I Siegel Racing Stable Ltd. of Brooklyn, NY, and the veteran reinsman felt the win was the perfect preparation for next Thursday’s $130,000 Gold Final.
“He was well in hand tonight,” said Saftic of the heavy favourite. “He finished up real strong. I’m looking forward to next week. I wanted him to finish up with a bow (bend) in his neck and he did.”
The top three colts from each elimination plus one fourth-place finisher drawn by lot advance to next week’s Gold Final. Run With Heart, Artistic Bunny and Close The Bank will have to wait until after Monday’s post position draw to see if they will join in the $130,000 dash.