Seam Seeker captures Burlingame

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Seam Seeker ($9.60) sat behind pacesetting Cinderella Liberty, took the lead on the second turn and then drew clear to win the $75,000 Burlingame Handicap at Bay Meadows on Saturday.

Making her first start around two turns, Seam Seeker relaxed nicely down the backstretch while in hand. She made a strong move on the second turn of the one-mile race and opened a 2 1/2-length advantage into the stretch. She defeated a troubled Crystal Event by two lengths, winning the one-mile race on a wet fast track in 1:35.81.

Crystal Event was forced to steady near the quarter pole when a hole closed on her, but she finished well as the top pair pulled away from third-place Elusive Air.

"She's rated well before," winning trainer Ed Moger Jr. said. "I thought I was in the right spot, but when I saw the fractions (45.89 for the half), I got scared, especially when the seemed to be coming to her.

"This was a good field, and I know the second and third fillies are going to get better, but mine will get better, too. She's bred for a distance."

Seam Seeker, second by a head in the Piedmont Stakes at Golden Gate Fields on Nov. 13, earned $41,250 for her first stakes victory. She has now earned $111,235 with three wins, a second and third in six starts.