Calgary Seelster fastest in Apaches Fame elims

Calgary Seelster (Phil Hudon), a son of Modern Art,extended his winning streak to three tonight at Woodbine as he captured the fastest of two $20,000 Apaches Fame eliminations, stopping the timer in 1:53.

The Apaches Fame series is for three-year-old colts and geldings who are non-winners of $30,000 lifetime as of October 31, 2010.

Calgary Seelster, a $16,000 yearling purchase from the Forest City Yearling Sale, scored a gate-to-wire victory for owner/trainer Murray Preszcator.

Making just his fifth career appearance, Calgary Seelster controlled the pace through panels of :27.3, :56.3 and 1:25.4. Post time favorite,The Platinum Guy (Jody Jamieson), who captured the $60,000 The Count B Stakes final on February 4, sat on the helmet of the tempo-setter before
making a challenge as the field turned for home.

The Platinum Guy could only reach Calgary Seelster’s wheel but failed to advance as Calgary Seelster scored an open-length victory. The Platinum Guy stayed for second with Playin Time (Chris Chrisoforou) completing the trifecta.

Unraced at two, Calgary Seelster lifted his lifetime earnings to $32,780 and has selected post four for the final.

In the other elimination, Live And Learn, a son of Life Sign, lowered his life’s best to 1:55.3 for driver Randy Waples.

Emerson Seelster (Rick Zeron) controlled the pace from post four past the opening quarter in :27.4, ahead of Live And Learn. As the field passed the half in a soft :58.3, Live And Learn angled to the outside and struck the front to lead his five rivals past three-quarters in
1:27.3.

Deep into the stretch, Live And Learn was still in command but Stonebridge Bonus (Simon Allard) and Carsons Payback (Jody Jamieson) were closing in with every stride.

Live And Learn, a half-brother to millionaire, Lady Dillinger, held on late in the mile to score a narrow victory over Stonebridge Bonus and Carsons Payback.

A three-time winner, Live And Learn now has career earnings of $28,054 for trainer David Menary and owner Gaetan Hebert.

The $60,000 final will line up as follows:

1) The Platinum Guy
2) Carsons Payback
3) Live And Learn
4) Calgary Seelster
5) Playin Time
6) Rileys Luck
7) Distant Cam
8) Emerson Seelster
9) Wazzup Wazzup
10) Stonebridge Bonus
AE) Guns An Roses
(WEG)