Salem Seelster has final say with $75,000 Grassroots Final win

MILTON, September 30, 2023 – The two-year-old male Grassroots trotters had a competitive harness racing rivalry brewing before their Ontario Sires Stakes championship final Saturday night (Sep. 30) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Semi-final winner and divisional leader Northernchancellor (Muscle Mass–Honor Grad) was not favoured from the rail. Neither was Alexander (Muscle Mass–Peace Rose), starting from post four and the number-two male trotter in their OSS points standings going into the big race.

In the end, Grassroots semi-final winner Salem Seelster (Muscle Mass–Speak of the Devil) came through as the even-money favourite for Jody Jamieson, catch-driving for regular pilot Louis-Phillipe Roy.

Hilarious Archie (Archangel–Hilarious Honey) left hard from post six to make front for catch driver Tyler Borth, filling in for the absent Bob McClure.

The 36-1 longshot R No Mercy (Alarm Detector–Absolut Seelster) followed from post eight, landing in the pocket behind Borth’s gelding.

A three-wide Nzuri (Muscle Mass–Tomorrows Dream) trotted on from post 10 for Trevor Henry, gaining ground first-over to press and clear Hilarious Archie past a brisk :27.1 opening panel.

First-over from sixth before the :57.3 half, Salem Seelster never looked back, looking comfortable on the lead through three-quarters in 1:26.2 and 1:53.3 at the wire.

Quick-closing R No Mercy and driver Travis Cullen collared Ways N Means (Muscle Mass–Mariongotchocolate) in deep stretch for place. Nzuri dropped back to fourth.

In the winner’s circle, Jody Jamieson said Salem Seelster “felt great.” Owned by Determination of Montreal, QC, the gelding was a $110,000 yearling purchase at the 2022 London Classic Yearling Sale.

The beaming driver said Determination-owned horses inspire confidence.

“You know they are going to be good for the most part,” said Jamieson. “It was just awesome to get a chance to drive [Salem Seelster]. I’ve driven… actually, I’m undefeated with Determination horses in the last two years, so it’s pretty fun to get a shot to drive this one. But it’s only been two, I’m two for two.”

Trained by Luc Blais, Salem Seelster responded perfectly to Jamieson’s confidence.

The winning driver told interviewer John Rallis he had landed the drive after chatting with “Wayne [Hafey], Luc’s main man.”

The gelding had been twelfth in Grassroots divisional standings before the $75,000 final, which was his third win of the season.

Bred by Seelster Farms of Lucan, ON, he had previously won leg #3 on August 10 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and edged out Ways N Means in a Sept. 21 Grassroots Semi-Final, lowering his mark to 1:56 flat that race.

Salem Seelster went a career-best 1:55.3 mile in the Sept. 30 final, living up to Jamieson’s well-informed hopes.

“[Wayne Hafey] explained exactly how [Salem Seelster] would be, and [Salem Seelster] was exactly how he said. Just running in a little bit in the turns and a little choppy-gaited until you got going. High speed and [he’s] got tons of talent. [He] could be anything next year.”

Salem Seelster paid $4 for the win.