by Greg Blanchard, media/communications, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Campbellville, ON — The outside post 10 was no obstacle for Deuce Seelster on Sunday night (July 22) as he dominated his nine rivals in the first Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final of the season for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Mohawk Racetrack.

The son of Western Maverick, with Paul MacDonell at the controls, stopped the clock in 1:52.2 to equal his lifetime record and extend his undefeated streak to three.

As the wings folded, MacDonell floated the colt away from the gate and appeared to be considering dropping into a mid-pack position. But he quickly changed plans and sent Deuce Seelster up after the lead past an opening quarter in :26.4. Once on top, the pair went unstressed through a first half of :55.3.

At that point, Mike Saftic sent one of last week’s elimination winners, Fun Of The Game, first over to challenge the pacesetter and prompted the tempo past three-quarters 1:24.3. As the field turned for home, MacDonell spoke to his colt and he easily kicked clear with a :27.4 final quarter under wraps.

Fun Of The Game was able to hold on for the place spot while Keystone Horatio charged from way back to pick up third.

“He (Deuce Seelster) had everything going against him tonight with post 10 and I didn’t want to rush him up in a fast first quarter, so I just let him idle up to the lead,” said winning driver Paul MacDonell. “He was very comfortable once he made the front. He seems to have a lot of speed but he also has a lot of endurance too, so it could be a fun summer for him.”

In keeping his win streak intact, the Darren McCall trainee boosted his career bankroll to just over $86,000 for owner Katherine Bardis of Sacramento, California. She purchased the colt privately earlier this summer for a price reported in the $200,000 to $250,000 range.

It is uncertain whether Deuce Seelster will compete in the next OSS Gold event at Flamboro Downs.