CHARLOTTETOWN- It’s a big weekend for locals in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, as the island’s premier harness racing event, the 66th Atlantic Lottery Gold Cup And Saucer is taking place this Saturday night. But one man in particular is trying his hand at capturing this years race: Fergus-based trainer Don Lindsey.
Lindsey has been training harness horses for the past 20 years, and this year he put up his aged Sunshine Beach gelding Poseidon Seelster into one of two Gold Cup And Saucer eliminations last Saturday at Charlottetown-Red Shores. The first elimination saw heavy favourite ($2.10) Its Major Major A, go gate-to-wire, winning easily by 5 lengths under driver James MacDonald and trainer Rene Bourassa. The second elimination, Poseidon drew post #4 and went off as the second choice in the betting. Off the gate, Poseidon Seelster was double-parked leading into the 1/4, then getting shuffled back to 2nd, where he pressed from that position for the remainder of the race chasing eventual winner Miki Shan ($4.00) for local driver Corey W. Macpherson and trainer Chris Mackay.
A few days later, The Gold Cup And Saucer post position draw for the final was held this past Tuesday, with Poseidon Seelster drawing post 8, the furthest outside post on the gate, and being assigned odds of 7-to-2, the third favourite. Lindsey was asked about what he is looking forward to during his time on the Island.
“I’m just excited to take in the Island and to soak up the races on Saturday,” said Lindsey. “The crowd, the energy and the horses coming out under the spotlight I’m also looking forward to.”
In terms of the post position, Lindsey is hoping regular driver Bob McClure on Poseidon can steer him to a solid effort.
“Obviously we do not have a great starting spot, but hopefully Bobby (Bob McClure) can working something out.”
Poseidon Seelster, who is a 8-year-old gelding by Sunshine Beach, currently supports a record of 22-3-4-4 for his 2025 campaign, with earnings of $115,440 dollars earned. Poseidon’s big races during his career have been finishing a narrow 2nd in the Graduate Series at The Meadowlands to Tara Hills Stud sire Cattlewash back in 2021, finishing 3rd behind Seelster Farms sire Bulldog Hanover in the Canadian Pacing Derby in 2022 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and prevailing to win the New Holland Pacing Series Final just last year also at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Since being in PEI, Lindsey has said Poseidon is loving his new living area for the time being.
“He definitely likes rolling in red dirt,” giving mention to the Island’s famous soil.
On his own career history, Lindsey, as mentioned before has been racing harness horses for the past 20 years, and has partnered with both Will (William) Alempijevic of of Lexington, KY, as well as his own father, Paul Lindsey since the start of his career. His training roster has seen multiple stakes-winning horses enter his stable such as Gia’s Surreal, Keystone Orion and of course Poseidon Seelster to name a few.
He was asked what winning PEI’s summer classic would mean to him.
“I think winning it would be good for Poseidon. He is a nice horse. This will most definitely bring him a bit of recognition,” Lindsey said. “Also just the experience of being in the race, with deciding to come race in it since the owners, and as well as my family can come and enjoy. Paul Kleinpaste made it easy to enjoy it in person.”
Poseidon Seelster and the rest of the 8-race-field will take their positions behind the starting gate on Saturday night under the lights at Charlottetown-Red Shores for the 66th Atlantic Lottery Gold Cup and Saucer, with the 15th and final race on Saturday capping off Old Home Week at the PEI track. The race is expected to go off around 11:15pm local time.
For more news, racing programs or to view Saturday’s live stream, visit https://redshores.ca/racing/
