Boxer Seelster Strong in Champlain Stakes
MILTON, September 7, 2024— Scott McEneny pupil Boxer Seelster had a successful tune-up ahead of the Metro Pace eliminations when delivering as the 6-5 choice in his $82,643 division of the Champlain Stakes on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
After getting nailed from a front-stepping effort last Saturday in a Gold division, driver Trevor Henry gave Boxer Seelster a methodical steer into contention. Henry secured a second-over tow after a :56.1 half that became a third-over seat as 6-5 second choice Century Lucifer popped pocket to challenge pacesetter Mad River. With a five length deficit off three-quarters in 1:25, Henry fed Boxer Seelster racetrack and swallowed his foes into the last eighth to grab a three-quarter-length win in 1:52.2. Twin B Courageous, at 65-1, rallied for second while Century Lucifer settled for third.
“He’s getting racey; he’s getting aggressive, which is good in a way,” Henry said after the race. “But he’s fit and coming into [the Metro Pace] at the right time. I think he’s as good as any of them.”
By McEneny graduates Bettors Delight and dam Big Thong, Boxer Seelster collected his third victory from six starts. He’s now banked $196,822 for owners Scott McEneny, Aristi Varsakis, Martwest Racing LP and Cantucky Farm Inc. He paid $4.50 to win.
Sterling Choice won leading nearly every step in the $81,642 other division of the Champlain for pacing 2-year-olds. Driver James MacDonald motored the roan son of Betterthancheddar out of post 6 and carved a sensible clip of :27.1, :55.2 and 1:23.3 wrapped to a bow in 1:52.1 after rebuffing a pocket pounce by Ayeaye Captain Deo. D A Love Boat stormed from last to grab second while Ayeaye Captain Deo levelled off for third.
“He’s been close all year, just knocking on the door,” MacDonald said. “Blake [MacIntosh] mentioned he’d love to see me try him on the front. I thought when the half came up maybe I overdid it a bit. He looked like he was beat, and it takes a pretty stubborn horse to come back on and do that.”
MacIntosh trains and co-owns Sterling Choice, a maiden no more in start eight and an earner of $166,892, with Ozzie MacKay, Tammy Lynn MacKay and Gilles Landry. He paid $4.20 to win.
In the $83,622 first Champlain division for 2-year-old pacing fillies, Nice Buns upended 1-2 favourite Perfectly Chic with a final-stride blow to a head win.
Driver James MacDonald worked the trail with Nice Buns behind Perfectly Chic, who cut a tempo of :28, :57.1 and 1:26.1 while seeming poised to sprint away into the stretch. However, the Tony Beaton-trained daughter of Sweet Lou had room to angle three wide off the pylons, gather her feet and soar forward for a narrow win in 1:53.3. Perfectly Chic settled for second while Papis Opinion, making a first-over move around the final turn, faded but held third.
“I didn’t think she was going to get there,” MacDonald said. “When you back out like that, you lose momentum. I just didn’t know what my filly was capable of, but it was nice to see what she could do off a helmet. I’m really proud of her tonight.”
Nice Buns races for owners Casie Coleman and Dumain Haven Farm LLC and is eligible for the Shes A Great Lady. She won her second race from three starts, has now earned $49,811 and paid $5.70 to win.
Cant See Me never felt a worry in a thievery mile to take the $83,623 other division of the Champlain for freshman pacing fillies.
With no enthusiasm going forward, driver Bob McClure inherited the top seat with Cant See Me in a :29.1 crawl to the first quarter. The accelerator only started pushing after a :58.1 half, but the soft speed only sealed the back-half sprint for Cant See Me. She clicked past three-quarters in 1:26.2 and scampered away to a 2-3/4-length win in 1:53.1 with pocket-chaser Bonhomie Hanover left in second. Au Jus Hanover sat a ground-saving trip to take third.
“You usually don’t get that lucky in a race like that going for that kind of money,” trainer Mark Steacy said. “That sets us up real good for next week.”
Bound for the Shes A Great Lady eliminations next Saturday, Cant See Me has now won three races from five tries and earned $106,312 for owner Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc. She paid $7.60 to win.
By Ray Cotolo, for Woodbine Communications
Watch race replays here: https://www.youtube.com/@WoodbineEntertainmentGroup
