SUMMERSIDE – Czar Seelster proved age does not matter.
The oldest horse in the 50th running of the $25,000 Governor’s Plate, presented by Township Chevrolet, charged down the stretch to pass leader Euchred, driven by Adam Merner, en route to winning Prince County’s most prestigious standardbred race at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway late Saturday night. Time of the mile by the nine-year-old by Stonebridge Regal-Cmon Mama Cass-Threefold was 1:53.2 – the fastest trip of the 16-dash card.
“I got a perfect trip, to tell you the truth,” said winning driver Kenny Arsenault, who has over 3,000 career wins. “I wanted to follow Adam and I wanted to stay with him if I could, and the rest on the outside just couldn’t get to us.
“I don’t know what happened behind me because I was up near the front, but this horse is phenomenal. (Trainer) Greg Weatherbee had him really good (Saturday), and he’s a great horse to drive because he’s a closer.”
Click here for preview story on 50th running of Govenor's Plate:
Click here for Vance Cameron's column on Governor's Plate 50:
Euchred cut out fractions of 27.1, 55.4 and 1:24.1, and finished second. Mr Irresistible rounded out the top three. Defending-champion Do Over Hanover was fourth, followed by Keep Coming, In Spades was sixth, Nogreatmischief finished seventh and Cartoon Daddy rounded out the field in eighth.
Owned by Tammy Johnston of Vernon Bridge, Arsenault and Czar Seelster sat second throughout the race before making their move.
“It was halfway down the stretch before I got around him,” explained Arsenault. “Adam’s horse raced big. He was super, but this horse just dug in the last 50 yards and got the win.”
Click here for related story on Saturday's card:
In pre-race interviews with the Journal Pioneer last week, all of the drivers expected an early speed duel off the start.
“I hoped I could get close to the front, and sit no worse than three,” explained Arsenault. “It worked out well.
“I thought In Spades and Jason (Hughes driving Do Over Hanover) would be coming hard, but they just didn’t get to us. I don’t know what happened.”
Click here for Joe MacIntyre's Hot Corner column looking at the history of the Governor's Plate:
Praises trainer
When it was commented to Arsenault that Czar Seelster is showing no signs of slowing down and continues to race at a very high level, he quickly said: “That goes back to Greg Weatherbee. That’s the sign of a good trainer when they can keep a nine-year-old horse peaking at that age.
“He’s very good with this horse, he turns him out and he jogs him slow. He’s very good to this horse, and he shows it on the racetrack.”
Asked to describe Czar Seelster, Arsenault offered, “He’s a push-button horse to drive, he’s easy to drive. . . He’s a good horse, and he raced against seven other good horses and he beat them. That says a lot how good of a horse this horse is.”
Click here for story on Friday's program at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway:
After Czar Seelster and Euchred won the two $5,000 Governor’s Plate eliminations in identical times of 1:54 flat on July 8, Arsenault felt a mile in 1:53 would be needed to win the Governor’s Plate.
“I didn’t think 54 would (be good enough) because there were too many horses with early speed, and early speed makes fast racing,” said Arsenault, who described the track conditions as excellent.
“The track was super, the guys did a great job all week,” added Arsenault.
Click here for story with Adam Merner and a strong Cape Breton interest in Governor's Plate:
Second Governor’s Plate
It was the second Governor’s Plate victory for Arsenault, who drove Serious Damage to victory in 2011.
“It’s very special because I have been coming to Summerside for over 30 years over my career, and I know a lot of people up here,” said Arsenault, a Charlottetown native. “It means a lot to me.
“To win this the second time is really nice. I took a long time to get back to the winner’s circle, but I just want to enjoy the moment.”
SRW Results
Harness racing results from Saturday at Red Shores at the Summerside Raceway.
Race 1 – Jinglewriter (A. Merner) 3.30 2.40 2.10; Shouldabeenaclown (E. Stewart) 4.50 4.20; Mia Lotta (R. DesRoche) 27.00
Times: 29.0, 58.4, 128.2, 157.2 Also ran: Metro Man, Shes a Lover, Draft Seelster, Top of the Morning, Tobins Optimism. Winning horse owned by Alex MacPhee, P.E.I. Exactor 3-5 $11.40; Triactor 3-5-2 $142.10; Superfecta 3-5-2-4 $852.80.
Race 2 – JDS Double Dose (D. Spence) 9.90 6.50 3.50; Swingirl (C. MacPherson) 8.00 3.50; Bowyer Hanover (J. Hughes) 4.50.
Times: 28.1, 59.2, 128.3, 1528.3. Also ran: Woodmere Soul, O Christopher, Miramichi David, Wilson Frost, Painted Desert. Winning horse owned by Dale Spence, P.E.I. Exactor 8-5 $97.70; Triactor 8-5-7 $1,101.50; Daily Double 3-8 $16.20; Superfecta 8-5-7-1 $299.45.
Race 3 – Mick Dundee (D. MacNeill) 3.40 2.20 2.10; Rash B Havior (A. Merner) 3.60 3.10; Ultimatelyhandsome (J. Hughes) 2.70.
Times: 28.4, 58.1, 127.0, 156.2. Also ran: Prince Adam, Chasen Cancun, Bet Er All, Bettim Vicky, Blacky Black. Winning horse owned by Donald MacNeill, P.E.I. Exactor 3-1 $8.40; Triactor 3-1-4 $25.60; Superfecta 3-1-4-7 $52.10.
Race 4 – Dustylanekazaam (C. MacPherson) 12.70 4.90 3.50; Silverhill Spike (K. Arsenault) 8.30 5.30; Artys Wish (G. Barrieau) 2.90.
Times: 28.4, 59.3, 129.2, 159.4. Also ran: Prom King, Inspector Murdoch, Gringo Star, W C Marys Buddy. Winning horse owned by Jonathan MacDonald, P.E.I. Exactor 4-1 $120.60; Triactor 4-1-2 $268.50; Superfecta 4-1-2-7 $151.12.
Race 5 – Tobinator (C. MacPherson) 5.70 3.50; Adkins Hanover (A. Campbell) 3.50; Zero Rate (K. Arsenault) 0.00.
Times: 29.0, 101.0, 130.3, 158.3. Also ran: Give Em Heck. Winning horse owned by William Hicken, P.E.I. Exactor 3-1 $15.80.
Race 6 – Culpepper (J. Hughes) 310 3.00 2.60; Rising Fella (C. MacPherson) 19.40 8.40; Dusty Lane Zendaya (R. Gass) 4.00.
Times: 29.0, 59.1, 128.3, 157.3. Also ran: Dancers Pass, Rojans White Jet, Machinthesand, Dial The Bossman, White Fish Flash. Winning horse owned by Kristina Folkins, New Brunswick. Exactor 5-1 $59.50; Triactor 5-1-6 $939.80; Superfecta 5-1-6-4 $961.15.
Race 7 – Saulsbrook Brave (G. Barrieau) 10.90 3.60 3.10; Dustylanesam (A. Sorrie) 3.10 2.70; Easy DC Does It (C. MacPherson) 4.30.
Times: 29.1, 58.4, 128.4, 158.1. Also ran: J K Express, L Weather B, Fern Hill Cruz, Ocean Prince, Hunger Pangs/ Winning horse owned by Reginald MacPherson, P.E.I. Exactor 4-6 $32.70; Triactor 4-6-3 $141.10.
Race 8 – Hop Up (C. MacPherson) 6.60 2.10 2.20; Isabella Hanover (A. Merner) 2.10 2.10; Zip the Lip (B. MacPhee) 3.00.
Times: 28.4, 59.1, 129.3, 159.2. Also ran: Professor Gordon, Holy Molie Maggie, Rosberg. Winning horse owned by Keith Campbell, P.E.I. Exactor 5-3 $11.40; Triactor 5-3-4 $32.60; Superfecta 5-3-4-1 $106.20.
Race 9 – Sock it Away (C. MacPherson) 3.00 2.20 2.10; Tobins Lightning (K. Arsenault) 3.70 2.20; The Colonel (G. Barrieau) 2.20.
Times:27.3, 56.1, 125.2, 154.2 Also ran: J J Powerball, Flash in the Pang, Howmac Diamond. Winning horse owned by Reginald MacPherson, P.E.I. Exactor 2-3 $11; Triactor 2-3-1 $18.50; Superfecta 2-3-1-5 $16.10.
Race 10 – Big Surf (C. MacPherson) 3.40 2.70 2.10; Pictonian Storm (A. Sorrie) 8.30 4.20; Preceptor (P. Langille) 3.10.
Times: 28.1, 57.1, 125.4, 155.4 Also ran: Bugger Max, Positive Art, Jetster, Confident Fella, K D Overdrive. Winning horse owned by Perry Burke, Quebec. Exactor 1-2 $12; Triactor 1-2-4 $32.50; Superfecta 1-2-4-6 $121.85; Pick 3-2-1 $16.05.
Race 11 – Thegreatmaelstrom (K. Murphy) 3.50 2.20 2.10; Easy Flyer (A. Sorrie) 2.50 2.20; Buddy Mach (J. Hughes) 2.80.
Times: 29.0, 58.4, 129.1, 158.1 Also ran: Sinnersinparadise, Ascendant, Handsome Frank, Melray Moe. Winning horse owned by Dr. Mary Mcniven, P.E.I. Exactor 7-1 $7.30; Triactor 7-1-2 $40.30; Superfecta 7-1-2-6 $118.80.
Race 12 – Malabrigo (L. Darryl MacLean) 12.10 5.00 4.10; Harbourlite Jerry (S. Sheperd) 2.80 2.60; Always Reese (A. Merner) 5.00.
Times: 28.0, 58.1, 1208.3, 157.2 Also ran: Magical Alex, Darth Bader, Chevalier Semalu, Minor Wisdom. Winning horse owned by L. Darryl MacLean, W. Gordon MacLean, Meghan MacDonald and Natasha Campbell, P.E.I. Exactor 1-3 $49.20; Triactor 1-3-2 $98.80; Superfecta 1-3-2-4 $64.15.
Race 13 – Rose Gun Quest (G. Chappell) 4.90 3.30 3.20; Winter Blast (J. Hughes) 3.70 3.10; Red Magician (A. Merner) 5.40.
Times: 28.2, 57.3, 126.0, 154.1. Also ran: Perfect Escape, Diggin In, Offshore Cowboy, Mando Fun, Jackson K Down. Winning horse owned by Blair Hansen, P.E.I. Exactor 7-6 $33.70; Triactor 7-6-3 $198.80; Superfecta 7-6-3-2 $155.25.
Race 14 – Weekend Atnannies (M. McGuigan) 5.10 3.80 3.10; Rockin Party (D. Romo) 13.70 6.10; String Busters (K. Arsenault) 6.10.
Times:28.4, 59.0, 127.4, 156.3. Also ran: Woodmere Ideal Art, Half Cut, Dustylanewesty, Tangled Mind. Winning horse owned by Glen Dunn, P.E.I. Exactor 1-4 $61.50; Triactor 1-4-all $68.68; Superfecta 1-4-5-7 $217.51.
Race 15 – Sodwana Bay (G. Barrieau) 2.50 2.60 2.10; Traces of Purple (K. Arsenault) 7.70 2.60; Ramblingily (G. Chappell) 2.30.
Times: 27.1, 57.3, 126.2, 155.2. Also ran: Drivingthedragon N, West River Ambyr, One Hot Camshaft, Prettyndangerous, Woodmere Finesse. Winning horse owned by Wayne MacRae, P.E.I. Exactor 5-7 $14.90; Triactor 5-7-8 $25.40; Superfecta 5-7-8-3 $48.90.
Race 16 – Czar Seelster (K. Arsenault) 8.40 3.90 2.80; Euchred (A. Merner) 2.60 2.30; Mr Irresistible (G. Barrieau) 2.10.
Times: 27.1, 55.4, 124.1, 153.2. Also ran: Do Over Hanover, Keep Coming, In Spades, Nogreatmischief, Cartoon Daddy. Winning horse owned by Tammy Johnston, P.E.I. Exactor 2-1 $11.90; Triactor 2-1-3 $46.40; Superfecta 2-1-3-6 $82.45; Daily Double 5-2 $8.90.
Wager – $78,135.
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