by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Toronto, ON — Two C$25,000 Autumn Stakes eliminations for 3-year-old trotting colts took place on Monday night (Nov. 29) at Woodbine Racetrack.

Favored Protege Seelster won in 1:56 in the opening elimination.

Protege Seelster scored as the heavy favorite in the first elimination, stopping the timer in 1:56.

Grande Diablo (Tony Kerwood) flashed the quickest speed off the gate from post seven and struck the lead before the first turn but elected to release Twin B Spike Man (Sylvain Filion) to the front at the opening quarter in :27.1.

As the field headed towards the half, Twin B Spike Man faced no challengers as he posted :57.3 half-mile speed. Grande Diablo was enjoying a pocket trip with post time favorite Protege Seelster (Roger Mayotte) sitting third.

Around the final turn, Mayotte guided Protege Seelster first over and attacked Twin B Spike Man at three-quarters in 1:27.2. Down the stretch, Mayotte urged his charge past Twin B Spike Man and scored an open length victory for trainer Peter Noel Carroll and co-owner Sam Angelopoulos. Twin B Spike Man stayed for second over Paiging Kadabra (Chris Christoforou).

Protege Seelster, a son of Striking Sahbra, scored his fourth career victory and lifted his lifetime earnings to $58,839. He paid $4.80 for the win and has selected post two for the final.

Roush Hanover and Sylvain Filion were 1:56 winners on Monday.

Roush Hanover and driver Sylvain Filion delivered in the second elimination for his father, Yves, stopping the clock in 1:56.

Hidden Identity (Pat Hudon) surged off the gate to strike the lead early then allowed Roush Hanover to clear at the opening quarter in :27.4. Heading towards the half, Hidden Identity made a costly break which allowed Civic Duty to inherit the pocket at the half in :57.4.

As the field headed towards the final turn, Bi Barrister (Keith Oliver) tipped first over but was roughly gated which sent Oh No Three O (Fernand Paquet) three-wide. Oh No Three O used a big backside brush to catch tempo-setter Roush Hanover at the three-quarters in 1:28.

As the field entered the stretch, it appeared Oh No Three O was going to strike the lead but Roush Hanover fought back and was a determined winner with Civic Duty third.

Roush Hanover, a son of Ken Warkentin, increased his career earnings to $34,952 for owner Bayama Farms. He paid $5.10 for the victory and has selected post three for the final.

The C$60,000 final will go to post next Monday (Dec. 6) with the following post positions: 1. Civic Duty; 2. Protege Seelster; 3. Roush Hanover; 4. Oh No Three O; 5. Grande Diablo; 6. Twin B Spike Man; 7. Charmbo Tie; 8. Seagram; 9. I Aint No Worser; and 10. Paiging Kadabra.

The Platinum Guy scores in single Autumn Stakes elimination

The Platinum Guy scored an upset in Monday night’s single C$20,000 Autumn Stakes elimination for 2-year-old pacing colts.

New Image Media photos

The Platinum Guy scored in a personal best 1:52.4.

It was a three-horse cavalry charge heading into the first turn with Royal Will, Tribute To Gear and The Platinum Guy all looking for early position. Tribute To Gear (Mark MacDonald) was able to strike the front over The Platinum Guy (Jody Jamieson) with Royal Will (Mario
Baillargeon) getting away in third at a speedy first quarter of :26.

Heading towards the half, Baillargeon and Royal Will were not content with the three-hole and took over command past the half in :55.4. Royal Will would continue to lead his rivals past three-quarters in 1:24.4 with The Platinum Guy enjoying a pocket trip.

At the top of the stretch, The Platinum Guy tipped to the outside and took over command and was able to hold off a late challenge from Tribute To Gear to stop the clock in 1:52.4, a new lifetime best.

The son of Mach Three enjoyed just his second career win and lifted his freshman earnings to $22,214 for trainer Ben Wallace and co-owner Thomas Taylor.

The top eight finishers from the event will advance to the C$50,000 final. Stonebridge Bonus and Eastend Eddie automatically advanced due to highest money earned. The field is listed here: 1. Stolen Car; 2. Eastend Eddie; 3. Sonebridge Bonus; 4. The Platiunum Guy; 5. Royal Will; 6. Brief Bliss; 7. Pownal Bay Cooper; 8. Tribute To Gear; 9. Carsons Payback; 10. Power Smile.