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. BOXER SEELSTER and driver Trevor Henry winning a division of the Champlain Stakes on September 7, 2024 at Woodbine Mohawk Park (New Image Media) “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. STERLING CHOICE and driver James MacDonald winning a division of the Champlain for pacing 2-year-olds on September 7, 2024 at Woodbine Mohawk Park (New Image Media) “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. NICE BUNS and driver James MacDonald winning the first Champlain division for 2-year-old pacing fillies on September 7, 2024 at Woodbine (New Image Media) “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. CANT SEE ME and driver Bob McClure winning the second Champlain division for 2-year-old pacing fillies on September 7, 2024 at Woodbine Mohawk Park (New Image Media) “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 Share This:Share
