by Greg Blanchard, WEG media

Toronto, ON — Class horses San Pail and Sakic Seelster both prevailed in Sunday’s (Jan. 3) first leg of the Glorys Comet Trotting Series for older horses at Woodbine Racetrack.

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Sakic Seelster was a 1:56 winner in the opening split of the Glorys Comet.

Sakic Seelster, who had been struggling towards the end of the 2009 campaign, started off the new year with a sharp first-over victory in the opening C$50,000 division for driver Mario Baillargeon in 1:56. He was able to grind out a half-length decision over a closing Maple Leaf Buddy with the pacesetting Chick N Tell finishing third. Sakic Seelster kicked back $8.60 for the win.

The 6-year-old gelded son of Eager Seelster-Armbro Super was a major force in the top trotting division last season, winning 10 of 22 starts for trainer Ben Baillargeon and owners Santo and Nunzio Vena. Sunday’s win bumped his career earnings past the $250,000 plateau.

In the second split, O’Brien Award finalists San Pail and Armbro Chronicle finished one-two, respectively, in the 1:56.3 mile. They lined up that way off the starting gate and were never seriously threatened with Make You Mine rallying effectively to round out the top three.

San Pail, last year’s Maple Leaf Trot champion, won 12 of 24 during a brilliant 5-year-old season while banking $655,315 for trainer Rodney Hughes, who co-owns along with Glenn Van Camp. The son of San Pellegrino-Village Beauty returned a very popular $2.40 for the win with Randall Waples in the sulky.

The Glorys Comet Series will continue with second round action next Sunday afternoon (Jan. 10) at Woodbine.