Wilkes-Barre, PA – Mariner Seelster beat seven other 14-year-old horses in the $12,000 Bet the Vets Pace on Wednesday (Nov. 1) afternoon at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania. The race closed out the 2023 season at Pocono.

Mariner Seelster, trained by Travis Alexander and driven by Matt Kakaley, was too much for the field as the 1-9 favorite, leading at every pole and winning by 3-½ lengths in 1:53:4. Like Atta Boy Dan, Artache Hanover, and Rock Three Times, who finished second, third, and fourth in the race, respectively, Mariner Seelster has spent much of his career at the Pocono oval, making it a fitting send-off of a race.

Pocono also honored Matt Kakaley and Ron Burke during Wednesday’s program. Kakaley won his second straight driving championship and third overall at the track, as his four wins on the card gave him 279 on the season. Burke captured his third straight training title with 87 wins for the Pocono meet.

Pocono will be announcing its 2024 racing schedule in the upcoming weeks.