A top-notch group of seven older pacers put on a harness racing show Saturday night in a thrilling edition of the $34,000 Preferred at Mohawk Racetrack.
Plenty of action and hot fractions on a chilly and windy May evening led to Nirvana Seelster coming through for a 17-1 upset victory
The Bill Budd trainee left quickly from post-six to grab the lead and post an opening-quarter of :26.3. State Treasurer, who was the 8-5 favourite, was parked around the first turn and charged up to try and wrestle command away from Nirvana Seelster.
State Treasurer ultimately cleared to the front approaching the half, but grabbing clear command forced him to pace a :53.4 opening-half.
There was no breather for the public's choice, as Nickle Bag, the 9-5 second choice, popped out from fourth and came charging first up to engage in a final turn battle. The two favourites waged war to the three-quarter pole in a hot 1:21.1.
In the stretch, Nickle Bag took the lead and showed tremendous grit trying to hold off several challengers. Nirvana Seelster and driver Phil Hudon never left their spot along the rail and shot up late to steal away the victory from Nickle Bag by half a length in 1:50.3.
Reverend Hanover got up for third in his four-year-old season debut. State Treasurer dropped back to finish fifth, while the popular Shamballa finished seventh in his season debut.
A five-year-old gelded son of Camluck, Nirvana Seelster scored his fifth win in 16 starts this season on Saturday night. His 1:50.3 victory gives him 21 career visits to the winner's circle.
Owned by Bruce Davy, Nirvana Seelster has earned $128,000 this season to bring his career bankroll to over $434,000. The Budd trainee now has three victories in the WEG Preferred this season.
Nirvana Seelster paid $37.70 to win.
Also on Saturday, a pair of Ontario Sires Stakes notable three-year-olds turned in solid performances.
Sophomore pacing colt Betting Line came off cover to finish second in his season debut. The Casie Coleman trainee was competing against older horses and used a :26.3 final-quarter to come up half a length short in an impressive first start.
Betting Line won six of 12 starts last year and earned over $540,000 in his rookie season. The son of Bettor's Delight is a top contender for next month's Pepsi North America Cup.
On the trotting side, Will Take Charge crushed his opponents in a non-winners of three event by six-lengths. The John Bax trainee bounced back beautifully from a break last week for his second win in three starts this year.
A gelded son of Kadabra, Will Take Charge had just a single win in 13 starts last year at age two, but his lone victory came in an OSS Gold event at Mohawk. The Bax trainee followed up his only win with a second-place finish in the OSS Super Final.
Will Take Charge hit the board in eight of his 13 starts last year and banked over $196,000. He is expected to be a top contender on the OSS scene once again and is eligible to several Grand Circuit events.
Live racing resumes Monday night at Mohawk Racetrack. Post time is 7:30 p.m.
Nirvana Seelster