by Greg Gangle, WEG media
Toronto, ON — When it comes to their horses, many trainers believe that with great patience comes great reward. John Pentland is no exception.
The Dorchester resident, who recently relocated to Classy Lane Training Center with 10 horses for the winter months, remains hopeful that Del Rio Seelster and Pisti can be on the top of their respective games when they battle in their C$25,000 Autumn Stakes eliminations this Saturday (Dec. 3) at Woodbine.
Both sophomore pacers are lightly raced, combining for just 19 starts, but Pentland believes it was a blessing in disguise.
After capturing the C$54,000 Ontario Graduate Series final in 1:52.1 at Georgian Downs in his most recent outing, Del Rio Seelster will headline his elimination for driver Scott Zeron.
“He came up sick about a week after that final in Barrie,” Pentland said. “I was planning on giving him a week off anyways, then he got sick, but he also recovered very quickly.”
Following a recent qualifying victory on Nov. 24 at Mohawk, Pentland is confident that was a good enough mile to have his student prepared for this weekend’s task.
“I think he will be just fine on the weekend,” he said. “He’s lightly raced this season and I think that’s the main reason why he’s been racing so well. He had allergy issues all summer, so I decided to wait on him and have him ready for some winter stakes events at Woodbine.”
The son of Modern Art-Demi Seelster is a full brother to Ontario Sires Stakes graduate Deuce Seelster ($1,119,782).
“Speed isn’t an issue with him,” Pentland noted. “Training down, he always showed me that he had a great turn of foot and a desire to go forward. He’s got a terrific attitude and is without a doubt the best gaited horse I have ever had.”
Del Rio Seelster boasts a record of 5-1-1 from 10 career starts with $69,958 in the bank for Pentland’s wife, Natalie, who co-owns the gelding with Synerco Ventures Inc. and Clarence Devos.
Pisti, a homebred son of Camluck-Dexter Doll, will be looking for his third lifetime victory on Saturday when he begins in race nine for Pentland and owner CJS Stable.
The veteran conditioner is hoping his elimination brings out his best effort to date, a race that represents his 10th career start.
“He raced okay in his last start, I guess, but he didn’t have that pop at the end of the mile,” Pentland said. “He had a cut on his lower leg and I think that was bothering him more than anything. We are treating that and he should be better on the weekend.”
The gelding re-emerged in mid-October following a summer hiatus.
“He came up lame,” Pentland said. “It was nothing serious, but we just had to give him some time off. It proved to be worth it. He started back with a good qualifier then a pair of second-place finishes before a win, all at Woodbine.
“I think having these two horses as fresh as they are right now only adds to their chances, not only in this stakes series, but overall in the coming months,” Pentland added.
With $26,980 in lifetime earnings, Pisti boasts a career-best clocking of 1:53.
The eliminations will go to post with the following post positions assigned.
Race 3–First Elimination
1. Adventure Bound
2. Emerging Grin
3. Mach My Word
4. Road Untraveled
5. Del Rio Seelster
6. Full Circle King
Race 9–Second Elimination
1. Camcun
2. Lyons Johnny
3. Believe In Mack
4. Justlikejessejames
5. Lil Roy
6. Modern Legend
7. Pisti
Also, this weekend will feature two Autumn Stakes eliminations for 3-year-old filly pacers going to post Friday evening (Dec. 2).
The eliminations will go to post with the following post positions assigned.
Race 5–First Elimination
1. Shadys Art
2. Missmachrts
3. Betimbest
4. Twin B Miracle
5. Charolettes Maggie
6. Worth Remembering
7. Lyons Puddin Pie
8. Lucky Taryn
9. Modern Day Nite
10. Almost Lucky
Race 9–Second Elimination
1. Ground Shaker
2. Chante Spirit
3. Strong Together
4. Fire Fox
5. Lady Jill
6. Carly Hollywood
7. Machs Delicacy
8. Highland Candy Bar
9. Medway Flashpoint
Post times to change at Woodbine
The Woodbine Entertainment Group would like to remind horse people and racing fans of a slight post time change beginning on Monday, Dec. 5.
Post time will change from 7:30 p.m. to 7:10 p.m. and will be in effect until April 6.
Woodbine will also host two afternoon cards, the first on Boxing Day (Monday, Dec. 26) and the second on New Year’s Eve (Saturday, Dec. 31), both with a 1:20 p.m. post time. Live racing will then return to the Rexdale oval on January 2, 2012.