MILTON, Ontario Sires Stakes superstar, Stockade Seelster, captured his $75,000 division of the Somebeachsomewhere stakes on Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The Somebeachsomewhere served as a preview of next week’s highly anticipated Pepsi North America Cup eliminations.
The son of State Treasurer prevailed in the third and final division.
Moment Is Here (All Bets Off) emerged from a three way battle to lead through the first panel in a quick :25.3.
Jody Jamieson pulled favourite Stockade Seelster out from fourth and he took over the front just past the :54.3 half and hit the three-quarters in 1:22.4. Moment Is Here challenged down the lane but Stockade held on to win in 1:50.1. Moment Is Here took second with Gung Ho third.
It was last year’s O’Brien and Dan Patch winner’s first win as a three-year-old having finished second, by a nose, two weeks ago in his sophomore debut.
“I was confident in the horse, it’s just his second start of the year. He was strong at the wire and he wasn’t letting anyone by him tonight,” said Jamieson.
The Dr. Ian Moore trainee continues to add to his impressive record with 12 on the board finishes from 13 starts.
“We took him to Classy Lane Farm last Saturday. Jody trained him and I trained another of my three-year-olds,” said Dr. Moore. “He trained very well. I gave him an extra training on Thursday this week and buzzed him pretty good over the half mile track Shamrock Training Centre.”
Owned by Sally and Paul MacDonald, the Ontario Sires Stakes star is edging nearer to millionaire status as he now has $989,000 banked.
“He was much better in the paddock tonight. His race two weeks ago he was actually trembling, he wasn’t quite himself, a little nervous maybe,” said Dr. Moore. “Tonight, he was really relaxed, very calm, he warmed up excellent so I’m really pleased. He seems to be a lot more manageable this year, he wants to work with us and not against us so we’re looking forward to the next couple of weeks.”